My dad had to take Latin in high school. This was a requirement at that time. Dead language, go figure. So while I didn’t take Latin, I know a little. For instance, i.e. Yep, it is Latin for id est, or that is. We see it often in documents or emails. It usually follows a comment or statement. Most people use it incorrectly. They use when they want to suggest an example after a comment is made. Not accurate. That would be e.g. or exempli gratia; Latin for…well, for example. You see the difference is i.e. is definitive and e.g. is exploratory. One is how it is and the other is how it may be. Do we manage and lead like that from time to time? Sometimes we need this thing specifically to happen and other times we need to look at a thing from a broader perspective.
We need “i.e.” in our management life. We do. This represents the clearly defined expectations every business and organization needs to be successful and consistent and accountable. It represents the “that is” an employee must know, like the boundaries of what to do and how to do it. In some ways, it suggests ‘if this, then this.’ This is not to say we should not explore “e.g.” Absolutely. It is when we look at possibilities. We need examples to consider or options to contemplate. It suggests ‘what if this, and then what about this or this.’
When you face a situation as manager, as leader, which one makes the most sense? Wait for it…it depends. Sometimes your team needs an i.e. moment and other times they need an e.g. moment. Let’s look at some context. You have a new standard, like “every sales rep must greet or acknowledge every customer.” Well, that is…the standard. It is defined. It has a behavior attached with a means to measure and observe if it is being done. A team member needs that kind of clarity. And then you can move into discovery, what would be some examples of how this standard can be done based on what we see in the store. This brainstorming and collaboration helps put the definition into a range of possibility. The examples help define the standard.
I love this kind of interaction; i.e. blogging. And I love considering what may come next; e.g. another instalment on coaching.
Cheers