The fear of being wrong...
I received a call from a colleague/friend (not co-worker) asking for some advice on a technical situation. I listened to him and waited for the questions to come flowing. When he finished explaining the situation he asked me several questions.
For those of you who know me, you know that I LOVE answering questions.
I was quite surprised by his questions. I suppose I was surprised because, to me, the solutions were quite simple and did not require much depth.
When I finished answering each of the questions my friend was silent. If my phone had not showed that we were still connected, I would have assumed the call was dropped. The first thing he did after the silence was ask a question. He asked me if his organization could actually DO (read: permitted) the things I recommended. I asked him to explain the basis for his question.
His response astounded me. He said that there was nothing in his agency's ordinances that said he could do what I recommended.
I think my response astounded him more...
I asked him if there were any ordinances that would keep him from doing what I recommended.
<SILENCE>
He said that he didn't think that there were any ordinances that would prohibit him from following my recommendations but that he was really concerned that it wouldn't fly with his agency without positive support from the ordinances.
He thanked me for my time and help and we hung up.
I know this friend pretty well and I am sure that my recommendations will not even be brought up to his chain of command.
This conversation reminded that so many exceptional people are hampered and hindered by a lack of imagination. When it comes to problem solving, many of the best fixes have been discovered because someone said something ridiculous. Of course, many of the worst fixes have also come into being through the same process.
My point is...
Trying to solve problems using only what you have seen will limit you to tackling small, insignificant problems that have already been solved. Solving new problems you have never encountered before requires thinking and imagining beyond yourself. It requires inspiration (and usually perspiration), intellectual openness, confidence and a willingness to get the problem wrong.
There are so many people in this world who are so afraid of being wrong that they can never be right.
I understand the point you are making. I just thought I would share with you one major difference in county vs. city government. Home rule cities can do things that they decide to do. Counties can only do things that the State allows them to do. So, in county government we often have to find laws that allow us to do what we want to do.
Great article. Can't agree more, and sadly it's so true in all industries
Oww... Thanks for sharing, Matt. It's a sad commentary on what sounds perhaps like low professional self esteem possibly reinforced by a work environment that does not encourage growth, initiative, and creativity. You know, we teach people how to treat us by the boundaries we do or do not set. Sadly, that can go all the way back to childhood. Best regards, Gary
I dont think I'm afraid to be wrong. But then again, I've never admitted to being wrong.