In my library experience, proposals for using new technology or offering new programs or services are often met with a variety of nervous, timid responses that all seem to boil down to “what if we try this and bad things happen?” My typical response to this is to say, “We’re not coordinating a space shuttle launch. This isn’t brain surgery. Nobody lives or dies by what we do.” But Royce Kitts’ wife put it much better, more succinctly: “Don’t go pissing your pants if in the end it doesn’t work.”
Because at the end of the day, how much do we really have to lose if things don’t go the way we planned?
2 Comments
I agree whole-heartedly and think this needs to be said more often. (And thank you for the brief chat yesterday regarding your job, my job and libraries. As I said, I don’t get to discuss those issues in person with many people.)
I am a project leader(software). I feared many times while giving a time estimate. Too short time estimate will increase stress on developers while working. Too long time estimate may loose business. Often ‘fixed’ as what to do. Let my fear get reduced as I am not estimating a rocket launching :)