Devoted to Managers and those that seek to improve their management skills

One of the questions that many people in management ask is concerning how they can make things change for the better when they aren't in the position to make final decisions.

There are two things to consider when asking that question:

1. You must keep up on your current responsibilities.

One of the things that hurt those that see things that can be changed is that they start focusing on that while neglecting some of their present duties. This can cause a negative reaction and one that is deserved.

2. If you're convinced of something do it.

This may sound too risky to some, but in many cases there is no way to convince anybody of anything unless it can be shown, otherwise you stay in the endless arguments about theory. Theories must be proven, the only way to prove something is to do it.

Obviously we need to take a small sampling of what we want to do and prove it. Don't try to stretch too much or you may simply look like someone that is ambitious in a negative way. If you want to prove something is better, again, it must be shown, not just theorized.

Is this too risky? I don't think so. The major risk is, like I said before, is in neglecting your current duties to make this other thing you see work.

Here's a saying I've heard for years: It's better to have to say your sorry later than to ask permission now. If you ask permission, you will most the time be told no. We need to learn to be a little subversive in a healthy way.

The majority of companies are still far too bureaucratic to be willing to change long-standing practices; even when shown they must.

Ask for permission and your idea will be killed going through an endless array of meeting and committees. Showing it is the only way to convince people. If things don't work out, just say you're sorry.