Raise Your Hand

Too much education is about teaching ‘the right answer.’  In class a teacher asks a question with the intention of getting the correct factual answer out of a student.  In many ways this discourages students from raising their hands for fear of providing the wrong answer.  It’s carrot and stick psychology at work.

After schooling is complete, the same student enters the work force.  Like in school, it is assumed that there is a right way to do something and a wrong way.  The employee looks to the boss to learn what is right and wrong, much like the student/teacher relationship.  Too often it is implied in the workforce that it is best not to raise your hand with questions- just do as you’re told.  Just play it safe and don’t stir the pot if you want job security.

At some point, a change starts happening within the mind of the employee.  This person starts to realize that in fact there isn’t a right and wrong way.  In fact, the boss (or the teacher) knows a way – the current way, or his/her way of doing things.  But ways can always be improved, our civilization is always changing, work and the results we produce are not in fact static, but always morphing.  The employee may even get to the point where they realize they have a better way they can do something.  At this point the employee raises his/her hand to either: 1) contribute the idea back into the company, or 2) to resign and start his/her own company.

Successful people and successful companies – the kind you want to spend your day with –   do not set themselves into thought patterns of right and wrong, dispensing judgement to those who raise their hands.  These companies and people encourage hand raising and absorb all ideas into their operations to make the ultimate, group-crafted solution.  Every one (after all we are all teachers) should be encouraging people to raise their hands, not to solicit already known information, but rather to percolate discussion about generating ideas and solutions.  Raising a hand shouldn’t be about right or wrong – it should be about participation and involvement and it should be respected, encouraged, and appreciated by anyone in the position to call on them.