“He couldn’t get out of his own way if you gave him directions!”
– Dick Heston, 1933-2002
Dad had another one, perhaps less politically correct. In that one, he referenced doubts as to one’s ability to “find his (rear end) with both hands,” but I won’t reference that in a family publication…oh, I just did? Crap.
Ever see someone get in their own way? Do we ever get in our own way?
Over the years, I’ve found myself in a number of conversations during which a CEO was asking whether or not an internal process was slowing his company down too much. Now granted, he’d heard anecdotal feedback that it was, and many of the people on the call had hollered and complained about it. But, even with the invitation to weigh in, guess how many people, in total, have ever spoken up?
No, seriously, guess how many?
Go ahead.
I’ll wait.
Correct! Zero.
Now, if there are ever times that we get in our own way don’t we owe it to each other to speak up? If we’re invited to the discussion about ways to make things more better, don’t we owe it to each other to participate? Isn’t it incumbent upon us to pull each other aside and say, “Hey, friend, I couldn’t help but notice…”
We’re building new things and blazing new trails. We’re seeking to go boldly where most men have never gone before (sorry, Gene Roddenberry…). We’re going to get in our own way every now and then because we’re the leaders! There’s no one else to get in our way. Maintaining the lead means being willing to say, “Turn!” or “Stop!” or “Go faster!” If we won’t challenge ourselves, we’ll end up coming back to the pack. If we won’t challenge ourselves, we’ll impede our progress.
If we won’t do it, who will?
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