Building Tables
Do you comprehend the difference between “doing something right” as opposed to “doing the right thing”? This is a concept that many of us recognize in our daily lives and even in our business lives when things are going well. However, it seems to evade us when things are not going well.
One day a client, Dave, was in for an appointment and we were looking at his financials. They did not look good and I suspected that, due to the incredible stress, he might be struggling to do his job as president of his manufacturing company.
When I suggested that and explained that I didn’t mean he wasn’t working but that he wasn’t “doing the right thing”. He took offense at my suggestion and I pushed the concept no further. I hoped I was planting a seed and that it would grow. My greatest concern was that he was not paying enough attention to the group of employees who were responsible for production at the plant.
One week later around lunchtime, I decided to visit Dave’s business, unannounced. I entered the front office and asked if Dave was available. The receptionist informed me that he was “out in the plant”. I immediately began “patting myself on the back” proud of what had been achieved with just one tough conversation a week earlier.
As I entered the huge warehouse where the production operation was set-up, I walked over to about 15 of Dave’s employees. Dave was nowhere to be found. I asked someone, “Where is Dave?” One guy pointed his finger in the direction of Dave’s location, about fifty yards away in a remote corner of the warehouse.
My friend and client, Dave, the president of the company and the person totally responsible for all production was over in the corner paying no attention to the production or any of his other presidential responsibilities… instead Dave was building tables.
I approached Dave and inquired what he was doing. He answered, “Can’t you see, I am building tables.” I responded, “Is that really the best use of your time?” His answer, “Yes! These tables need to be built and I know how to build tables.” I responded, “How many of those guys over there can build these tables as well as you?” Dave reluctantly admitted, “Probably all of them.” I turned my attention toward the group of employees and added, “Even those two employees doing nothing?”
Right then and there, Dave got it. He was doing something right by building those tables. But as the president of his company he wasn’t spending his time doing the right thing. He needed to be investing time into his employees, a task that no one but Dave could do.
Each one of us has a role and a purpose to fulfill in our lives and in our businesses. It is easy to find ourselves enjoying the gratification that comes from doing something right, but if we don’t pay attention, it can distract us from doing the right thing.
