Friday, July 19, 2013

Play By The Rules

When you talk to your manager you probably have heard this before, "just tell him/her that we did x,y and z and make sure you say it exactly that way".

You are not likely a neanderthal so don't you think you can produce a reply for a client without the direction? Where does this need to limit change and impose will come from?

You could argue leadership, but maybe it is just a personality type. Should you take such exact notice of what you set in writing or when you ask someone to complete a task? Or should there be leeway for themselves to augment or adjust what you dictated?

There is no correct answer and no doubt many times you could pen a better reply than your boss, but you may be missing their point as well.

In this week's parsha which repeats the 10 Commandments has this to say in 4:2:
2. Do not add to the word which I command you, nor diminish from it, to observe the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you.   ב. לֹא תֹסִפוּ עַל הַדָּבָר אֲשֶׁר אָנֹכִי מְצַוֶּה אֶתְכֶם וְלֹא תִגְרְעוּ מִמֶּנּוּ לִשְׁמֹר אֶת מִצְו‍ֹת יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם אֲשֶׁר אָנֹכִי מְצַוֶּה אֶתְכֶם:
 
Hashem is pretty clear on this one. He knows what he is doing so just go along with it and no one gets hurt. Wait what about free will? You are free to choose to observe the commandments, but not change them.

When you change the wording or texts, it is like changing the rules and disobeying a direct order. By choosing not to observe the Mitzvot or commandments you have made a choice. If you choose not to observe, then you have no reason to question those who do. Likewise if you do not follow your management's lead, you may find yourself without a position in the company and have no one to blame but yourself.

Play by the rules and no one gets hurt is a valid maxim to live by for some people and now we know where this saying came from as well.
=======================================================================
Parsha Vaetchanan in the book of Devarim, Deuteronomy 3:23-7:11
It is said that the Torah or Bible could be interpreted in over 70 ways. More likely these days 100's of ways. In light of this idea, I am writing some posts that bring a business sense to what we can learn on a weekly basis. Enjoy, Shabbat Shalom

No comments:

Post a Comment