We put a new rosebush in our yard this weekend. Our friend Ed is a landscape designer and he assured us that a particular spot in our yard was a perfect spot for a "Hope for Humanity" rosebush. He told us which nursery to go to, and to hurry because he happened to know that they only had one left.
We hastened to the nursery and found the rosebush. It was indeed a beautiful specimen, and the flowers are the perfect color of red to complement the rest of our plantings. We purchased it, and packed it in the van. It was then that I happened to glance at the receipt. Stamped diagonally in big red letters it said NO GUARANTEE. Obviously the nursery doesn't want to be liable for enthusiastic do-it-yourselfers who don't properly set a shrub, or protect it from our northern winters. However, I was still surprised for a couple of reasons. First, the other main nursery in town guarantees all perennials for one year, and the mail order nursery we have used guarantees all perennials for 3 years. Second, I was surprised that a business would want to hang a label of "no guarantee" on their work.
It made me think about how I approach my work. What do my clients see "stamped across the page" when I hand them a report, or re-design their staffing processes for them? Because my work is collaborative in nature, I can't offer an iron-clad guarantee that what I produce on my own will solve their needs. But I do endeavor to make contributions that are worthy of my time and talents. I hope what people see stamped on my work is: "This work reflects my best thinking and effort on this project. I look forward to your input and working with you to make it great for this company!"
What's stamped across your work each day?
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