Why not?

That is the question that I always asked to my self whenever I heard someone called “why bother [something]” or “I think it’s ok if we only do this, without no extra thing. Why should we do anymore of that?”

See… The question that being asked by those (likely) afraid to come out of their shell, afraid to jump out from their well being, afraid to loose their comfort of current situation, afraid of steping out of their comfort zone.

Or just feel like there’s no point of doing such thing. Simple as that.

But, the attitude of always seeing things differently in logical, sometimes make someone can do more than it used to be, usually. Start with this question : “Why not?” But never instantly do, think first, before doing. Be pro active. Find the reason in not doing the given option.

For example :

Let’s say Robert, one of your team, the youngest (meaning : less experieced) but the smartest, coins an ‘out of the box idea’. Which instantly refused by other team member. Said that : “What do you know about this? You’re still new. We’re more experienced in such stuff than you!” That other team member shows :

1. Insecurity (because a younger team member could deliver such a great ideas, which he/she could not)

2. Showing of the seniority, which in modern company seniority is less considered. Considered more on values delivered or/and contribution made during the hours

3. Unwiling to learn more than he/she ever received/learned

4. Unwilling to see things differently, in broader perspective

What you should do :

1. Give time-place-opportunity for Robert to describe the ideas, and asked to all audience to be open minded. Listen more, talk less.

2. Make sure Robert is understanding the concept, understanding what inside the box, because he is thinking outside the box.

3. Have a ‘why not’ attitude. Find things that you feel will be the obstacles in doing the ideas. If there’s no, then try it. Do it.

4. After asking ‘why not’, then must be followed by the actions of observing and analyzing the ideas through several perspective. Well you can try from Threat and Opportunity (external factors) and Weakness and Strength (internal factors) to observe and gain information about the ideas. We called it TOWS analyzis.

5. As a decision maker, define whether or not his ideas is fit enough. Be rich in considering before deciding what to take

Is there anyone of you willing to share another point of view? Please do so 🙂

IMHO, it is the ‘why not’ attitude that keep me going on until now. It’s very simple if you’re an open minded (and witty) person. You’ll be able to digest some raw ideas into a well planned next action by collecting all needed information before. And that include your team member’s view point, your own perspective and experience.

If by your consideration, that youngest team  idea was not fit enough, be reasonable to share your reasons. Don’t just decline the ideas by saying because of your experience bla bla bla… Be a reasonable leader. If you do that, you’ll learn something. Believe me. And so will the other of your team member on how to respect other’s ideas. Although it came from the young and unexperinced ones. The same with you and the rest of the team, Robert, your youngest team member will do so. He will have something to learn, have a broader view point in see problems and find out steps in how to solve it. And never be afraid to speak his mind again and again.

Further, other member including the young ones will learn how to be a reasonable leader. Just like you. A leader who has ‘why not’ attitude 😉