A500.2.3RB_DavisCarl

What are some standards that are the most important in your life?

Standards have played an important part in my life. As an aspect of my career, the standards to which I would be held were defined and published in manuals. I was held to these and checked regularly. Taking time to reflect on my personal standards, there are a few that stand out to me. I will elaborate on punctuality and accuracy.

I firmly believe that time is one of the most precious resources we have as humans. Being respectful of someone else's time is one of the most respectful things I can do for somebody. This standard was driven home for me in the year I spent at the Naval Academy. As they say, "...time, tide, and formation wait for no man." We were drilled to be five minutes early for any meeting. The repercussions for being four minutes early were severe enough to instill the habit quickly.

A gentleman I worked for back in the 90's was compulsive about punctuality. He once sent a fleet of dump trucks that had driven 100 miles to his ranch back to their base for making him wait five minutes. I didn’t need any other hints to know I would continue to be early to appointments.

Having had opportunities to lead groups of people, I have made it a point to respect their time and strive to run meetings on time. I know it is appreciated because they tell me so as they compare our organization to the way others are run.

I would say that this standard has become even more important to me over the years. As friends and relatives have begun to pass on, the scarcity of the “time resource” is more and more evident. I will continue to value time and act in accordance with the respect it is due.

Referring to the Standards of Critical Thinking list (Nosich, Gerald M., 2012, Learning to Think Things Through, pp. 133-161), accuracy is definitely a standard that is very important to me.

I acquired this standard through teachers demanding it of me and life lessons educating me on the repercussions of being inaccurate. The profession I have chosen to follow demands a high degree of accuracy, as well. To reach the level of Airline Transport Pilot in the eyes of the FAA, accurate performance and calculations are mandatory.

Accuracy has a direct impact on relationships and performance, both personal and professional. As I have climbed the corporate ladder, the reliance people have in me to be accurate has only grown. The larger the groups I lead, the more people rely on accurate communication and accurate direction. From a personal perspective, my family certainly expects me to be accurate in my dealings with them and with situations that affect the household.

When I was in grade school, my standard of accuracy was rather broad. It was honed via the educational system and requirements of my parents. Through the years, my personal standard of accuracy has been refined for what I will accept from myself. I also have noticed the standard for what I expect for accuracy from others has been refined through the years. As I have matured the level of accuracy I expect has become variable depending on the situation. The list of situations that I require accuracy on is adjusted, subtly, on a regular basis. Situations involving any hazard to safety, money, and family welfare will always be on the list. Topics of discussion at the water cooler don’t carry the same weight. As I continue to broaden my education and experiences, this standard will continue to be very important to me.