“If he’d gone 2 feet further he would have missed it completely”, lamented the caretaker at the caravan park.
He was referring to a guest who wiped out the security gate as he attempted to turn the corner and enter the park with his caravan in tow.
“I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had to fix it over the last 6 years”, he added.
I shook my head as Ross recounted the story.
There are actually 2 gates side by side on the entrance side.
When you arrive for the first time, the receptionists press a button to open the gate closest to the office to let you into the park.
When Ross finished sharing what had happened, I asked, “Why don’t they change the procedure?”
“You won’t change how people drive, so change the procedure. Just press a button. A second button, that is.”
“Why not just open both gates instead of just one?
This reminds me of what Dan and Chip Heath had to say in their book “Switch”. They advocate making the path easy for change.
In this instance, and I accept I don’t have all the facts from the reception team, I would simply change the procedure and open both gates, especially if it has been happening consistently for 6 years. Opening both gates would surely prevent having to keep fixing it.
So how about you?
Are there things happening in your workplace or even at home that have consistently caused problems for a period of time?
Is it time to look at changing the procedure? Could it be as simple as just pressing a button?
P.S. Invite your friends to get the Weekly Thoughts delivered directly to their inbox. Go to https://shirleydalton.com/weekly-thoughts.
