The Best Things Said Often Come Last

March 13, 2012
The notion of Managing While Wandering Around was attributed to Hewlett Packard in the 1970's and popularized by Tom Peters' In Search of Excellence. Maybe a modern version might also include Managing in the Doorway. In his book Things I Overheard While ...

The notion of Managing While Wandering Around was attributed to Hewlett Packard in the 1970's and popularized by Tom Peters' In Search of Excellence.

Maybe a modern version might also include Managing in the Doorway.

In his book Things I Overheard While Talking to Myself, Alan Alda observed, "the best things said come last. People will talk for hours saying nothing much and then linger at the door with words that come with a rush from the heart."

I read this a few years ago and have since started paying closer attention to the doorway.

Alda is a lot right from what I can tell.

People in my case now mostly colleagues and students will come into my office and ask the standard "How are you?" "Did you watch so and so last night?" or "What is going on with this or that?"

The conversation will ebb and flow. Then it will seemingly end as they head for the doorway: until the comment or question that originally brought them there is mentioned.

Then we'll talk again, but this time more seriously and direct about the compelling issue.

As I think back to my days as a manager, many of the most important conversations I had with both my boss and team members happened in a similar fashion.

It seems the doorway- in addition to the water cooler and conference room can also be counted as one of the more important locations in an office.

Popular Sponsored Recommendations

Legacy Phone Lines Are Draining Your Profits

Oct. 30, 2023
Copper wire phone line expenses that support emergency devices could be costing your company millions of dollars in wasteful overhead expenses. Rates have been skyrocketing while...

3D Printing a More Efficient Factory Floor

Nov. 16, 2023
Today’s additive manufacturing platforms make it simple to print a wide range of high-performing industrial parts as soon as possible and right where you need them — unlocking...

Shifting Your Business from Products to Service-Based Business Models: Generating Predictable Revenues

Oct. 27, 2023
Executive summary on a recent IndustryWeek-hosted webinar sponsored by SAP

Machine Learning and Predictive Analytics Guidebook for Engineers

Sept. 27, 2023
Leverage Domain Expertise to Drive Optimization – Without Needing a Data Scientist.

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of IndustryWeek, create an account today!