Wait, we can make this harder

“If you can’t explain it simply you don’t understand it well enough” Einstein

A good friend of mine is one of the best process engineers I’ve ever known. I was watching him operate the other day as he listened to a room full of people chatter, discuss, argue, fight for control of the white board and try hardily to come to some consensus opinion. Then, right on schedule, it happened. The phrase he dreads the most popped out. “Wait, we can make this easier!!”

He hates this phrase above all others because a) it usually comes from someone who won’t have to do any of the work; b) it usually comes just at the time consensus has been reached; and c) its never true.

But then, as is his talent, he wrestled his way through all the new debate, took all the data and mapped it out into a process diagram that nearly anyone could understand and follow. Really, this guy is good.

The problem is sometimes the person who utters the dreaded phrase really has had an epiphany and really can make “it” easier. So you can’t just throw the idea out – well, you can but you shouldn’t.

You may not be able to control your colleagues, but as for yourself when you feel you’ve had a brainstorm take some time, let the idea sink and see if it floats to the top again.

Then smell it…....