Experience
07/01/09 10:03 AM
I am certain that all of us, at one time or another, have done something that they were told not to do. We may have gotten away with it, experiencing little or no consequence. Then again - we may not have been so lucky, and had been the recipient of the dreaded “I told you so.”
I, for one, did this many times growing up. It is not that I did not want to listen to my advice giver, it is just that I thought I knew better, or that I had a better way to do things. The funny thing is, as we grow older our roles change; from the recipient of this advice to the person who is giving it. Those of us who are parents understand and flinch at the times when you realize you are saying things or acting just like your parents did.
No matter the age, you still may be given this type of “advice” through rules and policies that you must follow at work. Even as a business owner, you know there are things that you shouldn’t do, or “can’t” do because of the consequences. You also know that there are plenty of “grown ups” who NEVER want to listen to your advice or policies.
What everyone has to understand is that rules and policies are there to provide you “advice” to get your job done in the most consistent and efficient manner. They come from years of doing your job and finding the problems and solutions. It may not always seem like the most logical way, but more than likely there is a reason. Shortcuts almost never pan out, they may save you time now, but many times they cause more work in the future.
The reality is all of this advice comes from EXPERIENCE. Parents, teachers, coaches, bosses - they all have experienced things that allow them to do their job and pass on the best way for you to succeed. You may have a “better way” or good ideas to help your team succeed, but ignoring the rules and doing it your way is not the proper method. Pass your suggestions on, let the person in charge evaluate it, let them meld your idea with their experience, and you might be surprised at the result!
Doug Jacobs
I, for one, did this many times growing up. It is not that I did not want to listen to my advice giver, it is just that I thought I knew better, or that I had a better way to do things. The funny thing is, as we grow older our roles change; from the recipient of this advice to the person who is giving it. Those of us who are parents understand and flinch at the times when you realize you are saying things or acting just like your parents did.
No matter the age, you still may be given this type of “advice” through rules and policies that you must follow at work. Even as a business owner, you know there are things that you shouldn’t do, or “can’t” do because of the consequences. You also know that there are plenty of “grown ups” who NEVER want to listen to your advice or policies.
What everyone has to understand is that rules and policies are there to provide you “advice” to get your job done in the most consistent and efficient manner. They come from years of doing your job and finding the problems and solutions. It may not always seem like the most logical way, but more than likely there is a reason. Shortcuts almost never pan out, they may save you time now, but many times they cause more work in the future.
The reality is all of this advice comes from EXPERIENCE. Parents, teachers, coaches, bosses - they all have experienced things that allow them to do their job and pass on the best way for you to succeed. You may have a “better way” or good ideas to help your team succeed, but ignoring the rules and doing it your way is not the proper method. Pass your suggestions on, let the person in charge evaluate it, let them meld your idea with their experience, and you might be surprised at the result!
Doug Jacobs