Replies to '02/21 More Wifestyles'

First of all, I have to say I attended this particular show as a live audience member.  And I watched the original Grant and Kelly episode months earlier.   

It brought back thoughts to my corporate experience, the term "operational definition".  If, as Dr. Phil says, everything is negotiated (including relationships), then operational definition can be a useful tool in almost any setting.  It is repeatable, understandable, has a "yes" or "no" answer and, in most cases, can be agreed upon by both parties.  If the terms are specific.   

As an engineer, Grant should understand that there are two types of data.  Variable and attribute.  Variable is when you have a light dimmer or sound control on the t.v.   It is variably controlled gradually.  Attribute data is binary --  yes or no, on or off.  Did you do something or not?  In a marriage, you definitely need some "bumper room".   Does loading the dishwasher correctly mean all plates are facing in the same direction with all like-sized plates in graduating order?  Does the furniture placed correctly mean perpendicular placement of a sofa x-inches from the wall.   Exactly what does it mean to fold clothes correctly? 

I can SO sympathize with Kelly's struggle.  After working for years in the corporate world and being told "well, that could have gone better", I always had the feeling that the boss didn't really know what he or she wanted but that they would know it when they saw it.    

Vague terms such as "performed correctly", "more efficient", "do it better", don't fly.  It's up to the person asking for perfection to define very specifically what they expect.  And more importantly, it's up to the person being asked to do the task to specifically define their constraints and resource limitations so that both can agree upon a mutual solution.   

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First of all, I have to say I attended this particular show as a live audience member.  And I watched the original Grant and Kelly episode months earlier.   

It brought back thoughts to my corporate experience, the term "operational definition".  If, as Dr. Phil says, everything is negotiated (including relationships), then operational definition can be a useful tool in almost any setting.  It is repeatable, understandable, has a "yes" or "no" answer and, in most cases, can be agreed upon by both parties.  If the terms are specific.   

As an engineer, Grant should understand that there are two types of data.  Variable and attribute.  Variable is when you have a light dimmer or sound control on the t.v.   It is variably controlled gradually.  Attribute data is binary --  yes or no, on or off.  Did you do something or not?  In a marriage, you definitely need some "bumper room".   Does loading the dishwasher correctly mean all plates are facing in the same direction with all like-sized plates in graduating order?  Does the furniture placed correctly mean perpendicular placement of a sofa x-inches from the wall.   Exactly what does it mean to fold clothes correctly? 

I can SO sympathize with Kelly's struggle.  After working for years in the corporate world and being told "well, that could have gone better", I always had the feeling that the boss didn't really know what he or she wanted but that they would know it when they saw it.    

Vague terms such as "performed correctly", "more efficient", "do it better", don't fly.  It's up to the person asking for perfection to define very specifically what they expect.  And more importantly, it's up to the person being asked to do the task to specifically define their constraints and resource limitations so that both can agree upon a mutual solution.   

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First of all, I have to say I attended this particular show as a live audience member.  And I watched the original Grant and Kelly episode months earlier.   

It brought back thoughts to my corporate experience, the term "operational definition".  If, as Dr. Phil says, everything is negotiated (including relationships), then operational definition can be a useful tool in almost any setting.  It is repeatable, understandable, has a "yes" or "no" answer and, in most cases, can be agreed upon by both parties.  If the terms are specific.   

As an engineer, Grant should understand that there are two types of data.  Variable and attribute.  Variable is when you have a light dimmer or sound control on the t.v.   It is variably controlled gradually.  Attribute data is binary --  yes or no, on or off.  Did you do something or not?  In a marriage, you definitely need some "bumper room".   Does loading the dishwasher correctly mean all plates are facing in the same direction with all like-sized plates in graduating order?  Does the furniture placed correctly mean perpendicular placement of a sofa x-inches from the wall.   Exactly what does it mean to fold clothes correctly? 

I can SO sympathize with Kelly's struggle.  After working for years in the corporate world and being told "well, that could have gone better", I always had the feeling that the boss didn't really know what he or she wanted but that they would know it when they saw it.    

Vague terms such as "performed correctly", "more efficient", "do it better", don't fly.  It's up to the person asking for perfection to define very specifically what they expect.  And more importantly, it's up to the person being asked to do the task to specifically define their constraints and resource limitations so that both can agree upon a mutual solution.   

. 

First of all, I have to say I attended this particular show as a live audience member.  And I watched the original Grant and Kelly episode months earlier.   

It brought back thoughts to my corporate experience, the term "operational definition".  If, as Dr. Phil says, everything is negotiated (including relationships), then operational definition can be a useful tool in almost any setting.  It is repeatable, understandable, has a "yes" or "no" answer and, in most cases, can be agreed upon by both parties.  If the terms are specific.   

As an engineer, Grant should understand that there are two types of data.  Variable and attribute.  Variable is when you have a light dimmer or sound control on the t.v.   It is variably controlled gradually.  Attribute data is binary --  yes or no, on or off.  Did you do something or not?  In a marriage, you definitely need some "bumper room".   Does loading the dishwasher correctly mean all plates are facing in the same direction with all like-sized plates in graduating order?  Does the furniture placed correctly mean perpendicular placement of a sofa x-inches from the wall.   Exactly what does it mean to fold clothes correctly? 

I can SO sympathize with Kelly's struggle.  After working for years in the corporate world and being told "well, that could have gone better", I always had the feeling that the boss didn't really know what he or she wanted but that they would know it when they saw it.    

Vague terms such as "performed correctly", "more efficient", "do it better", don't fly.  It's up to the person asking for perfection to define very specifically what they expect.  And more importantly, it's up to the person being asked to do the task to specifically define their constraints and resource limitations so that both can agree upon a mutual solution.   

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