Business I career coach

Measure Twice, Cut Once

A

husband wants to do something
special for his wife's birthday
and leaves a message on her cell
phone to pack for a weekend ski getaway
and meet him at his office after work.
She shows up
at his office with
a suitcase full of
tropical clothing
and a brand new set
of water skis. He
stares at her, baffled,
holding snow skis
for downhill skiing.
What went
wrong? She
assumed her hus-
band was taking
her water skiing.
Instead, he planned
a downhill ski trip. The problem: He was
not clear.
This example might seem far-fetched,
but it does illustrate a point I make often
when coaching young executives about the

importance of being clear.
A carpenter must always make a mea-
He made a mistake I see far too often
surement, check the raw materials, mea-
in the business world. As decisionmakers, sure again to be sure, mark the mark and
you must know that making choices based check the mark — all before making a
on sound data is essential to reaching your single cut. By doing this, the good carpen-
goals. In the case of the ski trip gone awry, ter generally makes the right cut time and
planning the perfect escape
again.
for a spouse required more
Having measured twice,
Making choices
details than the husband
it is still possible to saw
provided so his wife could
but it is much easier
based on sound badly;
be prepared.
to change a line on a board
It is critical that you are
data is essential than to fix a cut in the
always clear when telling
wrong place. How much
to reaching your better, then, is it to make the
someone what you want. It
is also important to be clear
small extra effort needed to
goals.
about where you anticipate
measure that second time,
going. This lesson applies to
to check your work and to
everything you do at home,
get it right before you com-
work or play. To really drive
mit?
this point home, I'd like to use the exam-
How many times have you violated
ple of the good carpenter who measures
the "measure twice" rule in other realms
twice and cuts once before every building
of action? Consider a relationship with
project.
someone you hold dear or respect deeply
This simple maxim makes immediate
— a friend, a parent, a teacher, spouse
sense.
or colleague. There are times when you

will be under pressure, tired, angry, hurt,
threatened or just not paying attention
when you might give in to the temptation
to make a cutting remark that could jeop-
ardize a friendship.
Be sure about what you are about to do
and say to avoid making mistakes. If you
would measure twice before saying some-
thing to someone else, you could cut down
on waste, damaged relationships and
bruised feelings.
Measuring twice before taking a new
job, giving a new assignment, planning
a trip, would help each of you know you
were making the right decisions.
Measure twice — cut once.

Robert Sher, CPA, is a certified executive

coach. Formerly CFO and partner for Livonia-

based Schostak Brothers & Co., he now serves

on the West Bloomfield Township Board of

Trustees and is treasurer of the American

Institute of Certified Public Accountants

Foundation. His e-mail address is:

info@bobshercom.

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February 14 • 2008

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