“There’s a way to do it better – find it.” ~ Thomas Edison

Is There a Better Way? by guest contributor - Heidi Garcia, learn more about Heidi at http://www.wspsolutions.ca/

You’ve probably heard the definition of insanity – doing the same things over and over and expecting different results. Many of us fall into the trap of daily routines never giving a second thought to what we do and why we do it. How often do we actually stop to reflect and ask ourselves: Is there a better way? How many times do we find ourselves saying: It’s good enough?

Good is the enemy of great. Good gets in the way of doing our best. Good holds us back from tapping into our true potential. Many people accept the status quo and misguidedly believe that thinking, creativity and innovation is someone else’s job. Some people have literally turned off their curiosity. They have become apathetic, hopeless and indifferent. During a recent workshop I asked the employees “how many of you are excited about coming to work everyday”? Shockingly, no one raised their hand. For them, work is a means to an end. Work is just something they have to do to provide for their families, to pay the bills and to live a half decent life. Why do people settle for a “half” decent life? What would a “full” life look like? Is there a better way?

It’s been said that “People are like sticks of dynamite. The power’s on the inside but nothing happens until the fuse gets lit”. I strongly believe that every single person has unique talents, skills, abilities, and experiences to share. It’s the wise but sadly rare leader who understands and appreciates what his or her people have to offer and who allows and provides them with the right environment and opportunity to excel. Some employees have told me they have great ideas but no one asks so they don’t bother to share. Others have been told that they’re not getting paid to think and they should just focus on getting the product out the door or they’ve been told “we’ve tried that and it won’t work, or “it’s too expensive” or “that won’t work”. What an enormous missed opportunity. Just imagine the possibilities that are being untapped. How can you get great ideas? The answer: by generating a lot of ideas.

How can leaders instill a culture of continual improvement, of being curious, of asking questions, of coming up with new and better ways of doing things? How can employees feel responsible for catching mistakes and providing solutions to the challenges they face? Who better than the people doing the job day in and day out know best how to find a better way? How can leaders impress upon their employees that their opinions matter? How can leaders light a fire in the hearts of their employees rather than under their rear ends? One way is by painting a vivid picture of what can be. Leaders need to encourage employees to discover the possibilities, to think about what can be, and invite them to be part of the solution. Visualize the results – what does perfection look like? Instead of merely seeing “what is” look for “what can be”. Leaders need to continuously ask their employees: Is there a better way?

Leaders should be pursuing the right questions rather than securing the right answers. Talk less, listen more. Make fewer statements, ask more questions. Ingenuity is all about asking the right questions. Always, always, always ask: Is there a better way?

Here are some tips in your quest to find a better way:

1. Question everything and then do it again.
2. Start every conversation with a question – even if the conversation is with yourself.
3. Answer every question with a question.
4. Ask at least one dumb question in every meeting.
5. Begin every idea, recommendation or suggestion with a question.
6. Have 3 questions that you always ask someone.
7. Develop the single question that drives your work.
8. Develop the single question that drives your life.

If you don’t know how to ask the right questions, you discover nothing.

Finding a better way does not necessarily mean making enormous changes. You can make huge leaps through small steps. Small improvements made repeatedly lead to great discoveries and successes. Getting into a continual improvement mode requires a different mindset, which for some, may be difficult. I believe that anything worth having is worth working for. Just remember experience is a tough teacher! Make learning the job. You can’t separate learning from innovation. Learning triggers creativity.

Pursuing perfection requires great discipline. What percent of time is devoted to improving the work, not just doing the work? Perfection is achieved not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away. Are you relentless in your pursuit of perfection? Are you doing your best to become the best? You are if you’re always asking “Is there a better way?”