Disagree and Commit
I was out getting lunch today, and something happened that got me thinking about how we deal with decisions we don’t like.
I was in Pret, grabbing a wrap between meetings, and walked in right in the middle of the lunchtime rush. The line was just about reaching the door, but moving reasonably quickly. One of the staff was trying to direct people to form separate lines, one per cashier. Most people were reluctant, one was downright reticent.
“Five lines, please, there’re five cashiers.”
“That’s inefficient”
“I’m sorry?”
“Having separate lines is inefficient. One line is better. There have been studies.”
At this point, another guy in the line chimed in. “He’s first, I’m next.”
The staffer was unimpressed and she ignored him, turning back to the first complainer.
“It’s just what Pret want us to do.”
“Well you tell your manager that it’s inefficient.”
In the meantime, I’d joined a line and got served before both of them. Everyone further behind was stuck. Regardless of whether or not the guy was right (one line was certainly not fitting into the space very well), his refusal to go along with the queueing decision made by the company did nothing but delay him, most of the people behind him, and annoy someone who had no real power — and likely no desire — to change the decision.
This put me in mind of a concept that I was introduced to recently: “Disagree and Commit”. It’s ok to disagree with a decision and still go along with it. Not everyone will agree every time, so if you’re in the minority, express your view, then move on.
Put everything you have into making the decision made work, without complaining, dragging your feet, or trying to sneak your idea in without anyone noticing.
Otherwise, you’re just an opinionated jerk slowing down the sandwich line.
