When you propose a new idea, be prepared for the typical automaton response from those you share with,
“Is this going to work for every single customer?”
“Will it apply to everything we do?”
“What about all of the work we have done?”
The questions come in all different shapes and sizes. There’s typically a person with an idea and a committee guarding the status quo. This, of course. goes on while the world around us is changing.
Many dumb indecisions have been made because the focus was on the exceptions. In certain conversations, it is important to look at the exceptions. We would not want all the benefits of a medicine but have to completely live with a bad side effect, for instance.
However, in the midst of most endeavors, make decisions based aside from the exceptions. The pseudo-analysis may make a few committee members feel like they gave input, when in reality, they default to what is known out of fear.
Test every objection. Why should the status quo be presumed to be the right decision? Ask, “Does it matter?” and push on fears. Wonderful change can happen from paying attention to what matters and not serving the exceptions with disproportionate attention.
