My "generation" is showing! Grammar check: When I learned how to type way-back-when on a manual typewriter, it was drilled into my head that two spaces were always inserted after a period or colon. Now I stand corrected because, after a little bit of research I learn, while that was what was necessary in the past; it is no longer today because of technology... I'm finding it's a challenge, however, to get out of the habit of hitting the space bar twice.
This got me to thinking of some other areas where I might be thinking with a “manual typewriter” mindset and I came up with the following three realizations:
- No one has to tell you that the rules changed. In my book, Power vs. Perception: Ten Characteristics of Self-Empowerment for Women, the Resiliency Wheel is used to illustrate four critical parts of self-empowerment. Three of the major parts of the wheel are scout, educate and grow. This means that it is my responsibility to scout the environment to keep current on new trends in my industry; whether it’s new product lines or technology. It’s my job – no one else’s!
- Personal biases might be rooted in the “manual typewriter” mindset. I tended to want to correct these “misguided” individuals who obviously didn’t know how to type the correct way. I have to ask myself: What other areas in my life have I found myself wanting to correct others when I myself was using the outdated data?
- You can “teach an ‘old dog’ new tricks.” Change isn’t easy, I’m reminded of the many changes I experienced in life that felt uncomfortable at first, which became second nature with practice. It reminds me that, while I can’t change anyone else, I can change myself. This “extra” space is no big deal – and, according to Grammar Girl, it is a style issue, so it’s not considered “wrong,” however, for me, it’s important to stay current. I don’t want to look like a “dinosaur."
For example, women earned 76.5 cents for every dollar that men did in 2012. This is according an article by Brenda Cronin in the September 17, 2013 section of Real Time Economics in The “Wall Street Journal.” Could the manual typewriter mindset still be at work here, operating in the compensation policies of organizations?
What impact can this have on the effectiveness of an organization? Your company might not attract or retain the best talent as a result of this practice. Or, it may be as simple as using politically incorrect language in both your internal and external company communications (memo’s, newsletters, etc.) If you’re using outdated terms for various segments of the population—such as non-gender neutral language, pejorative terms for disabled or handicapped workers, or different ethnic groups (Asian vs. Oriental; African-American vs. Black; “Spanish” vs. Latino or Hispanic), you may be alienating your staff, your suppliers or even your prospective clients.The “manual-typewriter” mindset can emerge anywhere; even with technology and change we create new “manual-typewriters” all the time when we deny the fact that change is continuous. For example, recently Blockbuster Video went out of business. They couldn’t compete. I believe they were operating with a “manual-typewriter” mindset and didn’t adapt to the technological changes fast enough to keep up with their competition and the migration to on-line and on-demand viewing. At first it appeared as if they might be “beating” Netflix by with the “receive the movie DVDs in the mail and ‘return’ to the store” policy; however, they, they didn’t take into account how quickly technology can shift and that the DVD’s would no longer be needed.
I have to be continuously open to change; that any success in the past is a good thing, but that no matter who we are or how much experience we have, we all have to be open to learning new things so we can change and grow to adapt to the future. If not, my organization might be the next “Blockbuster.
”Mary Anne Kochut of Champions for Success is a seasoned corporate trainer, workshop presenter and business coach. She just released her first book, Power vs. Perception; Ten Characteristics of Self-Empowerment for Women. Visit: www.ChampionsforSuccess.com
Reference,
Cronin, Brenda, “Male-Female Pay Gap Hasn’t Moved Much in Years”, Real Time Economics
Economic insight and analysis from “The Wall Street Journal”, September 17, 2013, http://blogs.wsj.com/economics/2013/09/17/male-female-pay-gap-hasnt-moved-much-in-years/