I worked for a company at one time that seemed to spend a lot of time and effort on "employee development." They encouraged us to "be innovative," "take initiative," and "don't be afraid to suggest a new way to of doing something." Our quarterly reviews would encourage us to make and document suggestions, and our yearly reviews took it into account -- points given or taken -- if you'd proffered ideas at some time throughout the year. But once several of us simple workers came up with an idea that we thought had some merit and presented it to our manager and team lead to see what they thought. They could have given us some reason why it wouldn't be a feasible idea, or they could have said "let's explore that a bit further," or "let's try it on a trial basis and see how it works." So what did they say? The team lead looked at us blankly, shook her head, and said, "No, we're not doing it that way. We've always done it this way, and we're not going to change anything." And the manager looked on, nodding her head. So much for initiative and creative thinking!
I worked for a company at one time that seemed to spend a lot of time and effort on "employee development." They encouraged us to "be innovative," "take initiative," and "don't be afraid to suggest a new way to of doing something." Our quarterly reviews would encourage us to make and document suggestions, and our yearly reviews took it into account -- points given or taken -- if you'd proffered ideas at some time throughout the year. But once several of us simple workers came up with an idea that we thought had some merit and presented it to our manager and team lead to see what they thought. They could have given us some reason why it wouldn't be a feasible idea, or they could have said "let's explore that a bit further," or "let's try it on a trial basis and see how it works." So what did they say? The team lead looked at us blankly, shook her head, and said, "No, we're not doing it that way. We've always done it this way, and we're not going to change anything." And the manager looked on, nodding her head. So much for initiative and creative thinking!
ReplyDeleteLOVE this one.
ReplyDeleteBoy, is this one ever TRUE!!!!!! I am laughing thinking of several times I have seen this in my 74 years. Good one my friend..
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