The Importance of Mediocrity and Deserving what you're willing to accept

A few years ago, I found myself chatting with a soon to retire administrator at my daughter's school. I was expressing my frustration over scheduling conflicts for an important parent meeting we were hosting. As we walked to find an unoccupied classroom, the administrator attempted to console me by saying "you have to remember, it's just a public school".

One of Google's definitions for "just" is: "merely: and nothing more; "I was merely asking"; "it is simply a matter of time"; "just a scratch"; "he was only a child"; "hopes that last but a ...".

Using the first of the examples, that administrator was attempting to make me feel better by telling me that this was merely a public school and nothing more. Thus, in essence, stating that my expectations needed to be lowered because I had forgotten that public schools have to be accepted for what they are, and nothing more.

Asking me to accept a bad situation because it cant' be changed begs the question of accepting givens. If I accept what someone else tells me is a given, I choose not to vest myself in fixing the problem. If I accept someone else's report that "everything is fine", I am simply saying "I trust your judgment and/or I don't have the time or ability to check things out myself".

Let me pause for a moment and state unequivocally that this is not a treatise on the merits of micro management or promoting a strong lack of trust in others abilities or their intentions. I don't have time to do all of the tasks assigned to others, nor do I believe that this is ever healthy for organizations. That being said, I am much more interested in the concept of acceptance of bad situations, or as I like to put it, "the immutable nature of mediocrity".

Accepting Public Schools as being "just public schools", pays homage to their inability to change. If I don't challenge the position of a retiring administrator who has come to accept the immutable nature of Public Schools, I deserve all that comes with the sorry state of public education. And accept that my children will be provided with a mediocre education.

The next time someone uses the word JUST as a modifier, or asks you to accept the situation as a given and just, well.... immutable, you have a choice: Accept, or challenge and change.

The Place Where Good Ideas Go To Die

We've all been in this situation: Board meeting, Boss Meeting, group gathering...talking about what we should do next, how should we fix the situation, finding something that will make us feel fresh, new, and .... being as positive as the Carousel of Progress soundtrack of
"There's a great big beautiful tomorrow"!

But, alas, you remember that the last good idea that saw the light of day from this situation was perhaps the one that made you a part of the organization you're trying to fix.

The question to ask as an organizational manager, leader, or facilitator is:

Is this a place where good ideas go to die?

If you have to ask that question more than once, put up headstones for anything that sounds new or innovative... and wave goodbye to people who have those ideas.

How do you avoid becoming the graveyard for innovation.... Make sure that your organization is an environment that promotes discussion, difference, silliness, and the creative process itself. People should feel comfortable to try out ideas without the fear of public embarrassment, or just outright rejection.

But, you're thinking, there's that guy who comes up with these really crazy ideas and we have a tight agenda and we don't have time for this tonight! (I know that guy because much of the time ... it's me)

What you're really saying is, "I don't know how to manage the discussion, capture all the ideas, find a time to process them, and still get out in time to get home to see the beginning of "Lost".

The next time you're about to thank someone for their contribution and follow that by saying "but", stop right in your tracks and figure out how you could use that idea. Who could help make it happen; how can you connect this idea with other things you're trying to do; can you discuss the idea after the time allotted; can you create a time to fully develop this idea?

Think of yourself as trying to catch every idea as it leaps towards it's inevitable demise! If you can save it, you can move your organization ahead. You can also let other idea creators know that this is a place that is safe for them.

If you don't save save the ideas, you'll be just another place where good ideas go to die.