The Four Approaches to a Task: A Lesson on Initiative and Innovation An employee, "A", asked his manager for his task of the day. ...
The Four Approaches to a Task: A Lesson on Initiative and Innovation
An employee, "A", asked his manager for his task of the day. The manager asked him to cross a river. "A" completed the task successfully and reported back. The manager said, "Good job."
The next day, Employee "B" received the same task. While crossing the river, "B" noticed Employee "C" struggling with the same task. He helped "C" across and then reported back. The manager said, "Very good job."
On the third day, Employee "Q" received the same task but did some research beforehand. He consulted "A", "B", and "C", documented the process, identified common mistakes, and created a guide for future reference. He then completed the task and presented the documentation to the manager, who said, "Excellent job."
Finally, Employee "O" was assigned the task. After reviewing "Q's" guide, he realized the company was wasting resources on this repetitive task. Instead of crossing the river, he designed and implemented a bridge, eliminating the need for future crossings. The manager said, "Outstanding job."
Key Takeaways:
- A: Completed the task as expected.
- B: Completed the task and helped a colleague, demonstrating teamwork.
- Q: Created a knowledge base to improve efficiency, showing leadership and foresight.
- O: Innovated by solving the root problem, adding long-term value to the company.
This story highlights the importance of initiative, creativity, and thinking beyond individual tasks. While doing what is expected brings satisfaction, going above and beyond—through helping others, creating resources, or solving underlying issues—leads to outstanding success. Initiative and out-of-the-box thinking are the keys to lasting impact.