Getting my complaints out in the open, and having the ability to re-arrange duties and swap tasks according to our strengths and interests, has been a big help for my sanity.

And because I’m a nerd, I like to put numbers on these things. “This frustrates me because it takes me/our team X hours a week, and I’m not sure we’re getting a good return. What do y’all think?”

A co-worker once said to me, “You know why people don’t want to share new ideas, or better ways to do things? Because it will equate to more work from them personally.”

So, it seems to me that you have to talk about the end game — why the investment in improving a process will pay off. More work now will mean less work later.

To win this argument, you have to combat laziness, as well as fear of change, both of which are powerful motivators (or un-motivators??)

Can you tell I’m a proponent of change? Thanks for making us think Tim, as always.