Sunday, June 2, 2013

Was that ok?

In Oprah's recent speech to Harvard graduates, she disclosed that after interviewing two presidents and many others they often hand her the microphone and ask, "was that ok?".
As people we all seek and need approval.  We begin as children seeking parental approval, progressing through our teens attempting peer approval and learning both the importance and dangers of.
We dress for approval, cook for approval and meet the social norms for approval.  Now we seek corporate approval.

Sometimes in those long arduous business meetings we simply agree not only seeking the speakers approval but feeding the speakers need for approval.  By halting this "normal" practice of agreement we begin questioning, discussing and stop the stifling of innovation.  Questioning both insure independent thinking and fostering an earned group agreement.
Don't nod through life being agreeable for the sake of the corporation.  Question and discuss for both your sake and the sake of your job.

Approval should come for your innovative spirit not because you were trained to agree.  Express that idea, formulate the new process and present it.  Just ensure you allow room for the questions!

Do you approve?