High-Level No-Nos

There are little habits that don’t seem like a big deal until you realize they all have one thing in common – they make life more complicated than it needs to be. Here are three high-level no-nos I’d eliminate immediately.

“That’s a Good Question”

I hate when someone answers a question with, “That’s a good question.”

My immediate thought is they’re buying time. They have no idea how to answer it, so they throw out a compliment while their brain catches up.

The problem is I don’t hear a compliment. I hear, “Wow, I wasn’t expecting you to ask something intelligent.”

Believe it or not, some people can actually listen and ask thoughtful questions. I know you don’t think I’m one of them, but show me the other people running a multi-million-dollar business and tell me how off base I am… even hammered.

I’m not comparing myself to Elon Musk, but imagine saying that to him.

“That’s a great question, Elon.”

The guy is trying to colonize Mars and we’re complimenting him for asking a question.

Meanwhile, I’m trying to figure out why UPS WorldShip thinks every package was delivered in April because we restored the wrong database.

Letting People Go While Driving

People waving other drivers through when they don’t have the right of way aren’t being nice. They’re creating confusion.

If I’m sitting at a stop sign and you’re driving on the main road, don’t stop to let me out. Just keep driving.

People who wave you through when they have the right of way are basically freelancing traffic law.

Traffic laws exist so nobody has to guess what the other person is trying to do. Every unnecessary act of kindness on the road creates another opportunity for two people to misunderstand each other.

Healthy Food, Unhealthy Operations

I went to Chopt in Newtown for a change of pace for lunch. It’s the kind of health nut place where they probably count your daily celery intake.

When I walked in, there wasn’t a single person in line, and I couldn’t even tell where the line started. Do you order where the food begins or at the register? I had no idea.

Eventually I picked a wrap. The person making it told me they were out of the dressing and then just started making it anyway.

Hold on. If you’re out of the dressing, shouldn’t the next question be what I’d like instead?

If I’m ordering a Caesar wrap and you’re out of Caesar dressing, I have no idea whether ranch is an acceptable substitute. That’s your department.

Five minutes later there are five people in line. Two employees are making online orders. One person is still making my wrap. Somehow the only customer standing there is also the one feeling guilty.

Everyone else looked perfectly content waiting.

Maybe that’s what eating kale every day does to you. Personally, I’d rather have slightly higher cholesterol and competent operations.