“ as long as you’re not asking anyone to give you approval, then you don’t need anyone to give you permission.”
This reminds me of the saying “it’s easier to ask for forgiveness than permission”. I heard this phrase frequently from one of my former bosses at Palos.
Man I miss that guy.
You know that type of relationship? The one that only two guys can have with each other in which they share ideas, for better or worse. They share their day. They are just open and honest with each other. Those relationships are few and far between and I’m just blessed that I got to share that relationship while at work, because that’s where I spent a majority of my days.
Back to the point of the story:
When I believe that I am doing the right thing, I have no reason to ask for permission. This has gotten me into hot water at times during my career. There was one job that I quit over lunch. I did what I felt was right, but what was right wasn’t what was best for business. After the second time the owner pulled me aside to have this conversation… about doing what is best for business…I quit on the spot. Mind you, this is not the most professional thing to do, but I had to stand up for my moral belief system.
Since I didn’t care about the owner’s approval…or the job for that matter…I walked out.
Let’s talk about that job. I made a mistake in taking that job. I quit Palos Hospital, this was the first time that I quit the hospital job.
I quit a decent paying job, at the time I wasn’t making much at the hospital because I hadn’t served my time. Sometimes working at a hospital is like a prison sentence. You get cred (more money) for time served. Unfortunately, it was hard to get raises based on achievement, extra-curricular activity, or simply by producing the most money for the department. The secret to getting the highest pay was simply outlasting the next fella.
I made a mistake in taking that job, after leaving the hospital, because I just took ANY job. I didn’t thoroughly research the company, which is something that I do now. I didn’t shadow the clinic multiple times, which is something that I do now. I didn’t talk to the employees about how they enjoyed their job or if they could do it again…would they, which is something that I do now.
I took that job because the commute was wicked short. It only took me 4 minutes to get to work and home. It was so awesome that I actually bought a bike and rode to work. That stint lasted a whole 8 weeks. I bought a commuter bike, GIANT brand, which cost me about $900. I didn’t work at this job long enough to recoup the money I spent on the bike.
Oh well…you live and learn.
Anyways…I quit over lunch and the hospital took me back (second time being hired) that afternoon.
The point is if you don’t need anyone’s approval, then you don’t need permission.
Funny story…I was married at this time.
When I quit Palos (the first time) I literally walked into FWs office and said that I was giving my two weeks notice. I had no plan. I had no job waiting for me. There was no pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.
I quit Palos (the first time) because I signed up to make an impact. I wanted to change the way the hospital was doing therapy. I wanted to be innovative and create new programs. I eventually accomplished all of this…just not the first go around.
The second go around did not last much longer, but that’s a different sorry for a different day.
I remember walking out of the office and going outside to call my then wife at the time to tell her that I just quit my job, after less than a year on the job.
If you don’t need approval…you don’t need permission. Needless to say, that marriage didn’t last long. We were both so career oriented that neither of us asked permission before making major changes.
Que será será.