“Simple is not always obvious”
Dear Leader,
Just because something is simple does not mean it is obvious.
Take cling-film for instance.
Things do not get much simpler than cling-film. You just wrap it over some food to preserve it… or so most may think.
I was making sandwiches for the next day. Once made, it was place and protect time. After being neatly positioned on a plate, I wrapped the first rounds in cling-film and put them in the fridge.
As I started the next set, I was kindly offered some help. Glad for the assistance, I suggested that I would lay them out, and my helper could film and fridge them.
Simples.
Well… not so much.
As I handed the perfectly planned platter across, I noticed the wrapping procedure: my helper wrapped the cling-film plentifully but loosely, as if wrapping a delicate vase with bubble-wrap.
Now, as you may know (but, evidently, as this story shows, I cannot guarantee that you do) the purpose of cling-film is to keep air off that which you wrap in order to keep it fresh. Thus the film needs to be pulled taut across the would-be wrapped dish so as little air as possible can get to it; otherwise there is no point.
This was not taut. The folds and creases in the film resembled a four year-old’s first experiment with wrapping-paper.
After a slight moment of shocked pause, I set about explaining my assistant’s error and demonstrated how cling-film – the simplest of kitchen inventions – should be applied.
Had I not noticed, I would have been dealing with some pretty stiff sarnies the next day come lunch-time.
I had always thought that was a one-off anomaly, until a few weeks later, at home in the kitchen, with a friend helping me to clear up left-overs, the same cling-film calamity was confirmed before my unbelieving eyes once more.
Is this a thing? Is it true that there are many out there who do not know how to correctly use cling-film? One assumes that as it is so simple, everyone surely must know how to use it properly. After all, who would admit to needing to be trained in the use of cling-film?
Note To Self!
Simple procedures or processes are often installed into a system or scheme with little thought to whether or not they are actually understood by those who would use them. Because it is simple – at least to the installer – it is readily assumed that the one who will use it, or do it, should automatically know how to use it, or do it.
We may not even think to check their understanding, experience, or knowledge, let alone consider a training need, or even give an explanation: just an instruction to “get on with it”.
If someone does come back to us and declares that they are not sure, it is hard not to dismiss, mock or treat them with disdain – appearing incredulous that they do not know, or cannot work it out for themselves.
On the other hand, we may even shy away from checking because, owing to the surface-simplicity of the task, we do not want to embarrass or patronize.
Trouble is, if we avoid checking, damage can be done, and more often than not, much more than a plate full of spoiled sandwiches.
Don’t assume, affirm!
Clarify: we just do not know what they do not know. Check: make sure they know what you know. Confirm: ensure what is known is done.
Give clear instruction, accurate information and where necessary, tailored training.
Simple is not always obvious; and obvious is not always certain.
Living life, learning lessons!
Live | Learn | Lead
