Mistake Monday - I needed a map

For much of my career in business and technology, I refused to move without a detailed road map. I wanted someone or something to show me what to do next.

As a technical program manager, I wanted specific business requirements before developing a new solution. As a new consultant, I wanted each contract to clearly specify my scope of work so that all parties would know what I would and would not do.

I was unwilling to go out on a limb and design new maps to meet needs and solve problems. If something went wrong, I wanted a "map" to blame. Like so many mistakes, this one came out of fear of failure.

To work without a map requires courage, creativity, and customer empathy. We're all able to work this way, but seldom willing. Those who do are the most valuable and have the most fun.

Postscript: As a new father, for whatever reason, I never felt the need for a map like I did at work. I knew I was incompetent, but was OK with making it up as I went. I knew character, authenticity, and adaptability were more important than a map.

How about you? Where do you need a map? Where have you learned to draw your own?

Comments

[Nick Connolly]

Life maps are great. Though you cannot foresee it all, it is good to plan for as much as you can see.

Thanks for sharing Kevin.

[Kevin Mackey]

Thanks Nick - great point of clarification: I think life maps are good because YOU design the map to live with purpose. The mistake I call out in this post is needing someone else to draw give you a map.
- Kevin

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