Have you ever come up with a new idea and someone immediately lists the million things that could potentially go wrong? I think that energy is negative – it’s focused in the wrong direction. It is stifling creativity, conversation and, quite possibly, game-changing solutions.
In some government organizations, we hear “that’s how we have always done it.” Think about great inventions. What if someone had been there to hold them back and say “that’s too new”? Would we have smart phones? Electric cars? ROWE?
Instead, I encourage you to support new ideas by responding “why not?” Two simple words that can mean so much. Why not? This mindset shift focuses on the POSITIVE. Doesn’t that make us more supportive of each other? Open to new ideas? Open to change? Open to making things better? WHY NOT?
Work from a coffee shop instead of sitting in rush traffic? Why not?
Be held accountable to achieve results? Why not?
Back up a colleague when they need help? Why not?
Go to a matinee movie on a Wednesday? Why not?
Make the government *the* place to work? Why not?
Have control of your life? Why not?
In a ROWE (Results-Only Work Environment), anything is possible. Anything is possible when you look at it from the perspective of “Why not?“ Does your government organization say why not? We say “why not?” every day. Do you?
Or, does your culture have deep beliefs embedded into the way that work is supposed to be done? Face to face. Meetings. Butts in chairs to show people are working. These beliefs can be tough to change, but at CultureRx we have helped organizations with significant, positive culture change. Instead of focusing on the unwritten rules of how work is supposed to happen, why not ask “why not?” Think about how this shift can help focus the on the work. Why not?
To learn more about Results-Only Work Environment, visit gorowe.com
Christy Runningen can be followed on Twitter @christyrunn
Four years ago the DC Library started trying to use computers with their customers.
Today I order half of my books over the internet and then go pick them up. They also alert me when books are due.
Last night as I was checking out, the Librarian didn’t stamp or card or scribble on the books. “We’ll send you an email when they are due.”
Their throughput has to have increased more than fourfold, perhaps they can now do expert librarian stuff instead of clerical work.
“Why not,” indeed!