There’s always another way to do things…

I had an interesting personal lesson over the weekend.  I was doing a drive I know very well, I have doneit every other week for a number of years now.  I don’t have to think about navigation, though I occasionally still use my satnav to advise on traffic conditions.  This weekend I did the drive again but hit a jam outside Haywards Heath.  I was on a roundabout just outside the town and saw the traffic ahead wasn’t moving.  I didn’t want to be late so I decided to chance my arm and peeled off into the unknown.  I was surprised to see my ultimate destination also signposted.  I continued to follow these signs whilst apparently driving south rather than east.  At one point, my satnav (which ironically I had updated to the ‘latest’ map the day before ) told me I was not even on a road!  I continued to emerge on the other side of the town at another new roundabout.  The new route was longer but completely avoided the town centre and its delays.  It was a salutary lesson that even when you think you know the best way to do something, there is always another way that might be better if you take the time to explore.

I wonder how often in your life or your work there might be another, better way of doing things?  If you never entertain the thought, it is certain you will never find it.  Allowing yourself (and others) to potentially make mistakes but explore, you at least have the chance to find out.  This way you either prove your way is still the best, or have the chance to modify it. Also, giving others the chance to learn by doing is the best way to instil lessons.

This entry was posted on Monday, October 27th, 2014 at 10:29 and is filed under Business Change, Hints, Tips & Techniques, Personal Change. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.