At my place of work we do these things called “kaizan projects”. They are basically a form of bettering the workplace.(saving the company money/making money) through a specific structured process.
I have noticed through out my use of A314 that MY opinion matters and people are always seeking it. Not that it was a TOTAL change from the norm. It just seemed that these questions had more of a purpose NOW than just them trying to find an answer. It’s more like they now NEED a response from me.
I don’t like to give answers/advice without knowing that answer/advice is correct. Everyone in a manufacturing work environment have LOTS of specific protocols that need to be followed to accomplish their task. Yet some people when giving out advice/tips/training new employees tend to put their own “two sense” in and lead people astray(shortcuts that can effect quality of product or speed of production either positively or negatively). I’m a firm believer in following protocol and teaching new employees that protocol and let them decide the effective and ineffective “short-cuts” themselves. I feel the tip/tricks can be taught AFTER they feel comfortable in their new workplace.
AHAHA back to my point already!!!
This brings me to my thread title… I at first(sometimes still) have problems with the “I don’t know” and just not giving answers to peoples questions in general. I found that the easiest way to be congruent with A314 is to answer every and ALL questions that come your way. I have found this statement to work best. Still has “I Don’t KNOW” in it, but works wonderfully IMO… “I don’t know the answer to that, good question,let me see If I can get you that answer your looking for?”
There is so much more to being “alpha” than meets the eye. At work it’s the “I’m the go-to guy”, at home it’s the “Father Knows Best” and being an “Involved Father” is VERY VERY “alpha” to single mothers especially if they see your skills in action or can tell you actually know/care what your talking about. Once you turn “alpha” there is no turning back!!