Graham🐝 Edwards

5 years ago · 1 min. reading time · ~10 ·

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I propose we do this...

I propose we do this...


I will go out on a limb and say that it is very rare that the first idea, first prototype, first draft, or the first of "anything" is also the last — in fact, I will be so bold to say it never happens.

220e5257.jpgThe first of anything will be challenged, torn down and rebuilt, built upon to the point of being unrecognizable, or spur on something else that makes it irrelevant. It can be an uncomfortable process to be sure; both practically and emotionally. My favourite saying to illustrate this is, "Everyone who is first through the wall gets bloody; everyone", and metaphorically speaking the more different your "proposal" is from the norm, the bloodier you will get. And crazier still, it is the only way to progress in anything. 


At the very least it is a reminder that if you aren't uncomfortable you are not moving in the right direction, as well as highlighting the truism that you need to "be comfortable with being uncomfortable". Both very important reminders, but even more importantly, it is a reminder that someone needs to step up and say, "I propose we do this" — be it a new idea, a new way of thinking, or simply a first draft of the thinking around the table. Progress needs a starting point; it needs a champion. A case in point is a presentation for a strategic plan I worked on which had 27 versions in the end — not because the first version was fundamentally wrong, but because we needed a started point to challenge what we had, try to break our thinking, and initiate an iterative process of improvement.  

Anything new needs a Champion to move it forward, protect it, and foster it, as well as work through the natural challenges and pushback that come your way — not always something for the faint of heart, which I suppose, is why they call them Champions.

iamgpe


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#reminder #thinking #point #way #champion
Comments

Graham🐝 Edwards

5 years ago #13

#14
Thanks for the comment Edith PR

Graham🐝 Edwards

5 years ago #12

#13
Thx Ken Boddie... great saying... mind if I use it?

Graham🐝 Edwards

5 years ago #11

#12
Thanks very much for the note Joel Anderson... the world is a busy place to be sure — stay safe!

Ken Boddie

5 years ago #10

As quality manager for system management, Graham, change management is what I sell and implement and what the masses invariably resist. It seems to me that we seldom progess beyond the crib in this respect. If we don’t have our nappies (diapers) changed regularly we end up surrounded by crap. 🤗

Joel Anderson

5 years ago #9

#7
I have been rather sporadic of late but I truly enjoyed the read. Keep making a difference.

Graham🐝 Edwards

5 years ago #8

#5
You are right Timothy welch... babies are born perfect — full stop. Thx for reading.

Graham🐝 Edwards

5 years ago #7

#4
Sometimes when god (or the devil) is in the room, it needs to be as perfect as a humble human can make it Ren\u00e9e \ud83d\udc1d Cormier. Yup the presentation met it's objective as we were able to "keep fighting the good fight".

Graham🐝 Edwards

5 years ago #6

#3
That's a brilliant story Phil Friedman... thanks for sharing... — btw... how was the lobster? Hope all is well !

Graham🐝 Edwards

5 years ago #5

#2
Well said Joel Anderson... well said! Thx for reading!

Graham🐝 Edwards

5 years ago #4

#1
Cheers to that Jerry Fletcher

Phil Friedman

5 years ago #3

In my experience, Graham\ud83d\udc1d Edwards, you're correct 100% on this. But let me tell you a story. I once worked for a high-powered commercial real estate developer, writing proposals and plans for him to, in turn, present to investors and lenders. The first time, I brought him a draft, he said "Is this the best you can do?". I was crushed, but dutifully took it back and reworked it to be much better. However, when I took it back to him, he said, "Really? Is this the best you can do?" I felt entirely deflated. But I took the revision back and reworked it again. Then repeated the cycle another three times, as I remember. Finally, I arrived at what was truly a fine piece of work, I believe, by anyone's standards. Yet, when I took it to him, he once again said, "Are you sure this is the best you can do?" But this time, I was at my wit's end, and pretty much yelled, "Yes, damnit, it's a great piece of work and it IS the best I can do." And I prepared to be fired. At which point he said, "Good, then I'll actually take the time to read this version. Now, let's go get a lobster dinner."

Joel Anderson

5 years ago #2

As Plato opined, “Necessity---the mother of invention.” I can just imagine as Plato contemplated the world around him, in some manner he must have thought about the wheel within the context of his philosophical statement. It just makes one think. At one point in time, out of necessity, someone had a brilliant idea and invented a wheel. Since then, that very concept has been revised and perfected. Within a world experiencing the disruptive nature of globalization across a myriad of “Grand Challenges,” we have to have those ideas that will be challenged, perfected, transformed and improved upon the make the world around us a better place. Thanks for a great post.

Jerry Fletcher

5 years ago #1

Graham, Courage is much more than a word. It begins as thought and becomes action. here's to those that elect to go through the wall.

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