Small Minds

"If it's not broken, don't fix it" is a phrase often used as a precaution, or sometimes as retrospective chastisement when something goes horribly wrong. While the pithy saying may seem to be apt in some situations, it can be a dangerous mindset to harbour. This is because for some, it's more than a brief utterance in a particular situation, it is an attitude, a word-view, an overarching principle with which they live their lives.

Some people approach their jobs with a 'don't fix it' mentality. This can be an issue from the lowest of positions, to mid management, and all the way to the top. While it is often thought that a business should be driven from the top, the truth is that it's important to have people with the correct mindset at all levels. If this is not the case, one of two scenarios will transpire. Either everyone will continue to operate as they always have, business as usual. Or those who see areas for improvement, will meet resistance from those who are afraid of change. 


A 'don't fix it' attitude is antithetical to the human spirit. The candle wasn't broken, but Thomas Edison decided to fix it anyway. When an organization employs people who lack imagination, are afraid to act on ideas, or are just plain lazy, innovation will be absent or difficult to achieve.

This penchant for changelessness can also be seen in people's approach to their lives. When confronted with things about themselves that call for improvement, they quickly dismiss such criticism: "Anger runs in the family, that's how we are"; "He called me a coward, I had to show him that I'm not"; "Nobody is perfect". They will rationalize, justify, and excuse. They will do anything but change. Without efforts at personal development, they stagnate and may even persist in behaviours reminiscent of a child.

It is entirely possible for someone to be open to growth and change in some aspects of their lives, but be stagnant in others. A man may be a great father, but a poor manager and leader. A woman may be the model executive, a fine wife and mother, but poor at maintaining friendships. It is important that we engage in regular introspection, to evaluate all facets of our lives in a quest to become better human beings.

Pothole Mystery

Has anyone else noticed that potholes around the city of Kingston are being mysteriously patched? Something is amiss! It's certainly not the government doing this, as it's nowhere near election time. And the government never uses tax payers dollars to do anything but palliate the crowds before election, and line their own pockets. So who is perpetrating this dastardly deed?

While many of us have noticed these roads being repaired, how many of us have actually seen repair crews? This is certainly not taking place during the day, as there is neither traffic congestion nor detour signs. This is yet another sign that the government isn't doing this, for they only do things that inconvenience motorists and other road users. These actions are definitely being perpetrated by a covert organization, under the cover of darkness!

This begs the question, what are their motives? Perhaps they are seeking to rob the government of their one election tool, besides the empty promises. If this clandestine group patches the roads now, the government will have to use something else to bribe the country when it's time to vote. Maybe the political parties will start giving out free patties at election time. Afterall, the patty tax has made that once cheap food an expensive delicacy. 

Another possibility is that the roads are being patched by criminal gangs, who are tired of damaging their getaway cars, by dropping into potholes at high speeds. Given that the police are getting better at giving chase, this last supposition is highly likely.

Jamaica, be on the lookout! These pothole bandits are armed with asphalt, and are extremely dangerous. They are out to destabilize the status quo, and may be filling a pothole near you.

Commercialising Cravings

Ever had a craving? They just come out of nowhere. You'll hear someone say "I feel for some KFC", "I want a Whopper", "I'm feeling for a Pepsi". I wonder how many a marketer rejoices when they hear such utterances.

While hunger is physiological, a craving is more psychology than physiology. Studies have suggested that food cravings start in the mind, with strong mental imagery being a key component. That's the reason the branded food photos look so darn good - that's going to produce a strong, vivid image when a craving comes around. Plaster the company logo all over it and voilà, instead of craving a burger, you're gonna crave a Whopper!

Spend enough money on advertising and you can get into the minds of people, and then their pockets. You'll keep them coming back, even though the food is never as good as in the ads, and the customer service rep never smiles half as much as on TV.

Choose Your Assumptions Wisely

Assumptions help us function in a world that is always changing. Without them, we would have to constantly consider too many variables, infinite possibilities, and we would have a profileration of mental hospitals.

We assume that the vehicle in front of us will keep moving forward, otherwise we'd play touch and go with our gas pedal. That same assumption is dangerous if we assume that vehicle won't slow down, or make a sudden stop, while we punch out a quick message on our phone. In the critical few seconds in which we are distracted, our environment changes, our assumption becomes false, and we receive a jarring reminder not to rely on assumptions.

Sometimes assumptions are really excuses. We don't tell our family members that we love them, and we don't let friends know that we value them, because we assume that they know. The truth is that we are often afraid to express love and fondness, in a society where that may make us look soft. And some of us are uncomfortable saying "I love you", and other such mushy stuff. Not wanting to be smothered by mush, we save ourselves the discomfort with an assumption that our affections are understood.

Large organizations are built on assumptions. Everyone assumes everyone else knows what they should be doing. Most assume that policies were thought through thoroughly, and are the best of the options available. Some assume that the obvious flaws are obvious to those who can do something about it. Very few realize that false assumptions are crippling the organization.

If we don't question our assumptions, we become stagnant, and miss opportunities for personal growth and improvement. Some assumptions can endanger our very existence. We should always be conscious of the assumptions we have implicitly or explicitly made, and know when to reassess them.

...And The Law Won!

Today is a sad day for Digicel. Let's have a moment of silence. Ok, that's long enough. And that's about how long Digicel's attempt to challenge the OUR lasted.

In case you haven't been following this debacle, the gist of it is that Digicel wanted to take the OUR to court, to challenge their authority to set lower call rates. But first they had to get permission to take the matter to court, said permission having been denied.

The song above came to mind. Written by Sonny Curtis of The Crickets, and made popular by the Bobby Fuller Four. The chorus goes:

"I fought the law and the law won!"

What is a loss for Digicel is a big win for Jamaican mobile phone users.

Elevator Etiquette

Do you ever feel like the 'ding' of the elevator, as it stops at another floor, indicates the start of a new round of full contact kick boxing? Ok, maybe that's a slight exaggeration. But it seems that people forget themselves as they hurry to work, or to the next meeting.

First thing they seem to forget is how to wait. Before the door is fully open, people on the outside are rushing to get in. Does no one realize that if they allow people to get out, then there will be more space for them to get in? And it's a lot easier to do so when you're not squeezing by someone on their way off the elevator.

Let's not even mention the ones who don't bother to wait for the doors to open completely. They barge ahead, straight into the unfortunate soul who happens to be standing immediately by the doors. It's usually an awkward moment when their faces end up within kissing distance of each other.

Then there are the impatient ones who don't realize that repeatedly pressing the close button, won't make the doors close any faster. They close slowly for a reason. And should their button pressing little fingers get stuck in the door one day, they will appreciate why the doors are designed to close at that pace.

So the next time you're in an elevator, be sure to stand at a safe distance and observe the games. It's bound to be entertaining.

Empathy

How often have you heard the words "I understand what you are saying, but...". Growing up, we are taught that it is important to understand - things, people, ideas. But sometimes understanding isn't required, empathy is.  The former comes easier than the latter.

A police officer may understand your explanation, that you were speeding because you just got news that your mom is in the hospital. But he won't let you off that ticket unless he empathizes.

To get to the root of some issues, and truly address the problem, instead of flexing our intellect, we need to exercise our heart.  The next time you are confronted with a problem which seems to personally affect someone - a colleague, a friend, a family member - instead of merely understanding the problem, seek to empathize.