When was the last time you questioned why things were done the way they were? The process of asking why can be quite illuminating.
There is an old story about a husband – John – and wife – Jane – that were recently married. The man’s wife was going to cook a roast. The husband offered to help his wife with the cooking process. Just before she put the roast in the oven, she cut off one inch off the end of it. The husband asked why she did that, and she responded with that “that is how Mom always did it, and that is how I do it”. He did not argue but just observed and took note.
6 months later, the couple went to visit Jane’s mom. Jane’s mom announced she was going to prepare a roast for dinner. John asked to help her. And he observed her preparing the roast just has his wife had with all the seasoning and herbs. And then, just before putting it in the oven, she cut off one inch off the end. Joe asked her why she cut one inch off the end, and the response was almost identical to his wife’s. “that is how Mom always did it, and that is how I have always done it”. John did not argue or fight, but took note fo what had happened.
A year after the visit with Jane’s mom, the couple went to visit Jane’s grandmother (on her mom’s side). It was a pleasant trip up, and the weather was wonderful. After a lot of sharing stories and what was happening in each other’s lives, Jane’s grandmother said she was going to make a roast for dinner. John asked if he could help. Jane’s grandmother seasoned and prepared the roast almost exactly as Jane and her mother had. Then she put the roast on a roasting pan. Then John pipped up and said, “and now you are going to cut one inch off the end of the roast”.
Well, Jane’s mother just looked at him very weirdly for a moment, and said why on earth would I do that? He explained that her daughter and granddaughter prepare the roast like that, and said they learned it from you. She started laughing and saying “I haven’t had to cut an inch off the roast since I got a bigger roasting pan!”
Asking why is very important. Sometimes the reason things are done, are no longer necessary.
In your businesses, what process or procedures have you not questioned in a while? If you would like some help with the questioning process, schedule a call with me and let’s see how I can help you!