Lesson #3 to Self: Be creative
The story goes like this. A young woman is cooking with her mother and sees her cut off the ends of the ham before placing it in the oven. She inquires why. “Well, my mother told me to do it this way because it’s better. Why don’t you ask her for the specific reason in doing so?
So she does. “Grandma, why do you cut off the ends of the ham?” She gets the same response. “My mother always did it this way. I’ve done it as well but I don’t really know why. Why don’t you ask your Great Grandma?”
Once again she poses the question to her Great Grandma. Anticipating a compelling rationale in cutting off the ends, Great Grandma simply stated, “My roasting pan was always too small. I had to cut off the ends to make the ham fit in the pan.”
Ah, so there we have it. A simple solution to a specific problem turned into the non-negotiable standard for future endeavors.
“We’ve always done it this way” is a dangerous sentiment that squelches objective analysis and creativity. Granted, the way it’s always been done could actually be the best approach. But then again, it may not be.
Creativity has the potential to explore options and expand horizons. That said, creativity demands an element of discipline to objectively evaluate pros and cons without digging in the heels to a preconceived notion of what is best.
I would do well to consider alternative approaches, to be analytical, and to objectively review the data before settling on the path forward.
How about you? Is there a process in your organization for which there is no good explanation for the way it is done? Perhaps I can help you think outside the proverbial box to increase efficiency and effectiveness. Feel free to contact me (rebekah@rebekahtrittipoe.com or rebekahtrittipoe.com) to discuss the possibilities.
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