You Can Do It Better With Help

You really can do it better with help. Don’t always do it alone.

I was reminded of this concept yesterday when I called a meeting of my managers and revealed to them a plan for a new program I had been working on for some time. It was a major overhaul of an existing program and I was intent on fixing what was not working well and making it better. I looked at every aspect of it, challenging and changing aspects that were considered “legacy” and “tradition” and “the way it has always been done”.  I prepared my position in a memo and circulated it in advance so everyone would be prepared with my radical review and upgrade and asked for evaluation, constructive criticism and support. I had thought this through thoroughly and believed I had the answers.

An amazing thing happens when people get together and put their heads together to create something better. Ideas emerged, refinements occurred and new concepts took form, things I hadn’t considered came up and solutions were created. Moments of inspiration came through and in the end, we had a much better concept with a much improved program, better than what I had conceived myself.

I left the meeting feeling exhilarated as I had not only achieved my objective of gaining support, but my people helped me create a better plan. It always happens, even though my inclination is to do things myself. I am reminded once again that I can do everything better with help.