Two days ago, we had a power outage, and I had a Zoom appointment coming up. The appointment was important to me, so I called the school to ask if I could switch it from a Zoom appointment to a phone appointment.
Ring ring…
To protect privacy, I’ll refer to the person who answered as Helen.
Me: Hi Helen, could you change my appointment to a phone appointment instead of Zoom?
Helen: No, we don’t do phone appointments.
Me: Why? I thought the business founder said that appointments could be done over the phone or Zoom, and it wouldn’t affect the coaching process.
Helen: No, Chi Chi, listen to me. We just don’t do phone appointments.
Me: Okay, could you please ask the school director and let me know if he would approve a phone appointment for me?
As a coach, I guide others, but I also seek coaching myself to continue growing and improving my skills. In the end, Helen got back to me and said the director had approved my request. I was able to have my phone appointment after all.
This experience got me thinking, how often do we accept no simply because that’s the way things have always been done?
Sometimes, rules exist for a good reason. They create structure, efficiency, and consistency. But other times, they continue not because they serve a purpose but because no one has questioned them. Organizations, like people, can get used to doing things a certain way just because it’s familiar.
Yet, when we challenge these norms when we ask why not, instead of immediately accepting no, we create opportunities for improvement and flexibility. In my case, asking the school to reconsider their policy led to a good outcome. It made me realize that flexibility isn’t just a convenience it can be a way to serve people better.
This doesn’t just apply to businesses. In leadership, work, and decision making, how often do we resist change just because it feels uncomfortable? How many times have we dismissed a different way because it’s not what we’re used to?
Instead of assuming that things must always be done a certain way, we can start asking:
1. Does this rule still serve its purpose?
2. Is there a better way to do this?
3. What could happen if we allowed more flexibility?
The world is always changing, and adaptability is a strength. Structure is valuable, but so is the ability to rethink what is possible.
In the end, it wasn’t just about getting my phone appointment it was a reminder that sometimes, all it takes is asking the right questions to break through unnecessary limits.
If this resonates with you, feel free to share. Let’s challenge the way things have always been done and create new possibilities.
Visit my website: www.ccwithin.com
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