leadership dot #4303: it’s fine

I’m working on a project with a colleague who is much more comfortable “winging it” than I am. “Don’t worry,” he frequently says. “It’ll be fine!”

Since when is fine the goal?

Fine is not fine. I don’t accept projects on a straight hourly basis, not just because of the hassle of tracking time, but because I don’t want clients to question the extra hours that I may choose to devote to making things “more than fine” or to reviewing my notes one more time. I’m not a perfectionist by any stretch, and not everything needs to be enhanced, but “fine” is a pretty low bar.

Be intentional about the use of the word “fine.” It doesn’t help anyone by saying you’re “fine” when you’re not or by accepting “fine” as a sufficient measure of quality. Fine should be left relegated to fees paid as a penalty.