Dents and Dings

I have a friend whose car has been sideswiped in parking lots twice in the last three years. Twice! Neither time did the other driver leave their contact or insurance information. But that’s another story. Each time, there was a long, unsightly dent along the entire side of the car. Fortunately, she has auto insurance, so deciding to fix the ugly gash wasn’t a difficult decision. Call the insurance company, get an estimate, schedule the repair, wait around for parts to arrive, pay the deductible, and fix the problem. Fuming fiercely about thoughtless drivers was optional.

But her car drama got me to thinking about the dents we all face. Fixing big dents – problems – in your work is almost always an easy choice. Fix them. They’re unsightly, damage your reputation, and generally make the rest of the project more difficult. If you want to be known for your skill and professionalism, you do what it takes to make things right. Just like fixing that big dent in the car.

But fixing a little dent can be quite another matter. You know, those dings you get when a rock tossed up by a truck tire hits your hood, or when the kids let the grocery cart bump into the tailgate little too hard. You don’t have to fix them. After all, most vehicles have a few little blemishes, and nobody notices. But gather up too many of them, and the car starts to look raggedy. Beat up. Something we’re not too happy to be driving.

Or…maybe we decide that we’re just fine driving a car with a few dents. It’s dependable. There’s no car payment. The kids are still young enough to spill juice boxes and snack crackers on a regular basis, and who wants muddy soccer cleats on pristine upholstery? And by now, we all know you can buy that new car smell in a spray can. Above all, it gets us where we need to go, and we’re not trying to impress the neighbors. We’re happy with some dents and dings.

Fixing those little dents in our work often means we have a deep commitment to quality. We want to consistently deliver our best efforts. I know that taking care of the little things often ensures the big ones take care of themselves. On the other hand, living with dents is a way to focus on what really matters, not just on what can be fixed. Are we willing to live with some imperfections to ensure every voice is heard? Are we working on early stages of a project that is bound to improve over time? Is this something where “good enough is good enough” or are we striving for perfection when it’s not necessary?

It’s the little dents that will make us ponder. But there’s nothing wrong with that.

Stay Sharp,

Holly Hayes, President & Founder
ISI Consulting