It's Not Luck - Eliyahu M. Goldratt [13]
“Start writing.”
Without hesitation, I put down the first two reasons that pop into my mind. “One. ‘High risk of damage to the car.’ Two. ‘High risk of Dave injured in an accident.’ ”
“Wait a minute,” Julie says. “I thought you said that Dave is a good driver. You are letting him drive your car from time to time. Besides, if you’re so worried about increasing the risk of damage to your cherished toy, why do you drive it downtown?”
I think about it for a second. And what about the alternative, parking it at the airport? “You’re right,” I agree, and cross off the first item.
I look at the second reason. My car is much safer than Dave’s piece of junk, I admit, and cross the second reason out as well.
Julie smiles at me. “Yes, that happens. When you verbalize and examine each negative, often it turns out that they are just unfounded prejudices.”
I don’t buy it. I don’t want to give my car to Dave. I don’t want to share it with anybody. It’s mine. “Okay, here’s a real one,” I say. “ ‘Dave gets used to using my car.’ No, that’s not strong enough.” I cross it out and write instead, “Dave feels he has a right to use my car.”
“Yeah, kids do get used to things very quickly,” Julie agrees. “He will drive it for one week and you will have a partner for your car.”
“That’s a big negative,” I say.
“There is another one,” Julie adds. “You know his dream of driving to Mexico? His spring break is the week you’ll be in Europe.”
“Take my car to Mexico!” I jump out of my seat. “And then he’ll get stuck there and I’ll have to come to his rescue.” I can vividly see this horrible scenario.
“How are you going to write that down?” Julie asks.
“Having to stop my business in Europe to come and rescue Dave.”
“Aren’t you exaggerating?”
“Julie, if, God forbid, he is stopped in some village in Mexico, if he needs a parent’s signature for whatever reason—remember he is still under age—would you go down there?”
“I prefer not to.”
Mexico, my God. What a thought. “What else?”
“Why don’t you put what it will all boil down to,” Julie suggests. “Deterioration in the relationship between you and Dave.”
I examine the list again. It’s very short, but it will do. Now we start the enjoyable part, proving with lock-tight cause and effect how giving the car to Dave will actually lead to the predicted negatives. We have fun constructing the “negative branch,” as Jonah calls it. And even more so when we rewrite it all, so that it will be less insulting and more convincing when I show it to Dave. A delightful evening, and I’m ready for Dave.
I wish it were as easy to solve my problems at work.
6
“What’s on the agenda?” I ask Don.
“You have your briefing with Bob at eight-thirty and at twelve o’clock with Stacey. They are both waiting for you.”
“Both?” I ask. “Never mind, call them in.”
Bob Donovan and Stacey Kaufman are good friends. They worked for me when I was a plant manager—Bob as production manager, and Stacey as materials manager. Together we learned how to turn a plant around; together we learned from Jonah how to manage a company. They were my key people when I was a division manager. So when I took over the diversified group and saw what a shambles it was, I insisted Bob be nominated as president of I Cosmetics and Stacey as president of Pressure-Steam. They are both very capable and solid people. A little bit older than I, but that has never disturbed our relationship.
Bob lets Stacey precede him, and booms from behind her, “Hey, Alex! Ready for your trip to Europe?”
“Not yet, but with your help I will be,” I smile back.
“Just tell us what you need and we’ll deliver,” Stacey says.
It’s good to be with old friends, people whom you can trust. Jokingly I say, “What I really need is a bloody miracle.”
“No problem,” Bob laughs, “miracle is our middle name.” And to Stacey, “I told you he’d find a way to turn it around.”
“I didn’t doubt it for a minute,” she says. “Okay, Alex, let’s hear it.”
“Hear what?”
“Your plan,” they both reply. And Stacey adds, “How we’re going to convince