I was at a coffee shop the other day watching a group of people bringing equipment in for an event. Two of them were moving a coat rack on wheels – and when they came to the two small steps at the front entry, they continued rolling it an extra 100 feet to take the ramp. I couldn’t understand why they didn’t just pick it up and set it on the landing – it was clearly not very heavy. I found myself resisting an urge to “suggest” to them that just because it has wheels, doesn’t mean you can’t pick it up.
It got me thinking about things we sometimes do (or continue doing) “just because”…
- Just because something can be automated or outsourced doesn’t mean that it should be
- Just because it’s always been done that way doesn’t mean it couldn’t be done differently or better
- Just because the information came from the computer doesn’t automatically mean it’s accurate – or useful
- Just because it’s the latest research or current best practice – doesn’t necessarily mean it’s really new or the best
My point isn’t to knock technology, tradition or new information – It is just a reminder that there can be value in stopping to take a fresh look and in challenging our assumptions. It’s also a reminder that common sense and critical thinking never go out of style (I hope).
Of course just because a consultant says it…
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