Compromise--an adult word derived from a grade school teacher's
mantra, "Play nice with the other kids."
This concept was introduced to me in my formative years because
I have a multitude of older sisters who had no problem roughing
me up a bit when I'd get greedy. But for those misguided and unfortunate
rugrats who hadn't learned the art of compromise prior to school,
it was an even tougher place to learn.
Noses were bloodied in altercations over GI Joe dolls and Disco
Barbies because kids didn't understand compromise protocol. But
oh, when they did, it was a beautiful thing. Bloodshed declined,
the playground turned into a swap meet, and we lived happily ever
after.
Okay, I exaggerate a bit. Compromise isn't easy, for if it
were, it would be called a coup de effortless. It is our proclivity
as humans to mark our territory and wallop anyone who dares take
what we believe is rightfully ours. Thanks to evolution, which
led to smaller foreheads, less body hair and an introduction to
etiquette, humans (save for a few exceptions) have learned to
control caveman club-'em-over-the-head urges and have learned
the art of compromise. As children, we are introduced to it, and
the remainder of our lives are spent practicing to achieve some
level of proficiency.
An ideal application for compromise is when you work to accomplish
standardization. At the risk of sounding like one of those motivational
speakers in a shiny suit, you can make it happen with the right
approach.
The cover story, Merging Perspectives, will enlighten you as
to how other materials managers are working successfully toward
this goal--one that hospitals across the nation aspire to achieve.
Both doctor and materials manager perspectives are included
to provide well-rounded insight into their plans of action. One
materials manager even says physicians have been enthusiastic
participants at her hospital.
Rules of the playground often can provide a framework to help
find the necessary answer to a complicated question. Just remember:
compromise is the second rule behind not licking a flag pole in
the dead of winter.
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