#230 - Richard Moran Warns: Never Say, “Whatever”
Life can be a lot like Chutes and Ladders, the classic children’s board game, says Richard Moran, author of a new book, NEVER SAY WHATEVER: How Small Decisions Make a Big Difference (McGraw Hill; April 11, 2023).
Each time you say “whatever” you slide down a chute, but each time you make a decision, you have the potential to climb a ladder and move forward. Moran, host of the syndicated show “In the Workplace,” observes that “whatever” has become a flippant remark that is essentially a dismissal of responsibility.
David, our host, and Richard agree that “whatever” is a “four-letter word,” similar to the F-word, S-word, N-word and others. It’s toxic, disrespectful, and can be irresponsible.
Moran takes this a step further. He believes at work using the “w” word can be a career killer with short-and long-term consequences. And in personal relationships it’s toxic. It almost always defers or eliminates a decision or a choice that should be made.
But the w-word is a habit. A bad one. Join this discussion if you’re tired of Gen Z or any other generation dismissing your ideas, concerns, and/or commands as a leader with “whatever…”
Moran has data to back up his conclusions, and ways to overcome this bad habit. Join this podcast to learn more.
Moran has served as a CEO, a college president, a venture capitalist, and a top-level consultant. He has worked for or with some of the world’s leading organizations including Accenture, Apple, News Corp, American Airlines, PG&E and many others. He prides himself on his matter-of-fact manner of consulting and believes that many parts of the business world are needlessly complicated.
Moran holds a Ph.D. in organizational behavior but his work is not academic. Research is important, but he believes what is just as critical are the observations one can make by being in the “trenches” of business. His observations are candid, humorous, and true.
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