Several years ago, I worked in a section of a manufacturing plant where we built custom household furniture. One day a new hire joined the crew. He was a “craftsman” who had 24 years of industry experience (by his own admission).

The fellow boasted never having complaints about workmanship. In all those years, not a single one (again, his own admission).

I was impressed. Until I watched him go to work.

His methods appeared unorthodox (I’m being kind). I thought maybe he was having an “off” day. Later, after quitting time and all the co-workers left, my curiosity got the better of me and I went to have a peek.

I knew immediately the piece he produced wouldn’t pass inspection. I could see errors so basic I began to question the validity of his “experience”. Turns out, he did have the 24 years in the trade but you would’ve never guessed that looking at the finished goods sitting there.

The next morning the production manager and decorator responsible for the order reviewed the finished piece.

Usually, if there is an error or deficiency in quality, it was common practice to put a sticky note on it with instructions. The technician would then make the necessary correction. All would be good.

By the time they finished with sticky notes this piece looked like a Christmas tree adorned beautifully in yellow (not good).

The “craftsman” was dumbfounded… “This has never happened to me in 24 years…”

Instead of taking responsibility, he blamed the decorator. The work order was wrong… The instructions weren’t clear… blah, blah,blah…

So it went.

My point is simply this…

How you do something… is how you do anything.

Earlier, I watched him to see how did things and I came to a quick conclusion…

He may believe he had 24 years experience but really he had 1 year of experience repeated 23 more times.

He simply did enough to get by. Certainly no more than that. No commitment to growth. No continual improvement. No attitude of “how can I do better”. Nothing.

And it showed.