Knowledge and ignorance

In the day-to-day navigation of any large organisation, knowledge pays dividends and ignorance exacts tolls. When you hear references to someone being:

• out on a limb,
• on a fool's errand,
  
• clueless,
• on a wild goose chase,
  
• up a tree,
• up the creek (paddle-less),
  
• having lost the plot, etc.,

it's usually about a failure of knowledge.

You're most vulnerable when you're in trouble, but don't yet know it. To keep those periods to their minimums, a certain level of 'background knowledge' is invaluable. Once you know there's a problem your chances of a solution are much improved.

In a university or other large organisation there are resources with which you should be forearmed.

• The agreement/contract that covers your work;
• the "Code of Conduct" or similar rules;
• the policies that affect you;
• the intellectual property policy; and
  
• the applicable rules of order (for those who preside at meetings)

You don't need to become the 'rule guru'—the person to whom everyone turns with their questions. I think, 'Skimming' or 'perusing' are the words I'm looking for.

I'm suggesting that you be informed enough to say, "That doesn't sound right to me, let's find out." After that the rest is just details.▪

Not everything that counts can be counted,
and not everything that can be counted counts.
—Sign in the Princeton office of Albert Einstein (1879-1955)

The exception

The saying, "the exception proves the rule," is often heard, but less often understood.

I've seen a lot of Latin and even more English expended in getting to the relevant point. Fowler's discussion in his , Dictionary of Modern English Usage, sorts things out nicely. Fowler addressed five meanings, from (1) The original simple legal meaning through to (5) the serious nonsense. Here, we'll stick with #1. (For a full discussion of 'exceptions' I suggest Professor Richard Holton's, "Exceptions, Rules, and the Law." )

Fowler noted that the seeking of an exception implies the existence of the rule from which the exception is sought. If, therefore, you ask to take the overhead projector home for the weekend and you're refused, there's no use in subsequently claiming that there's no rule preventing it. Your request demonstrated that you recognised the need for an exception.

If you ask permission, you must stand ready to accept the reply.

There's a safer alternative, however, to simply making off with the projector. (See, also, my related, "Breaking the rules.") You might say, "I'm taking the overhead projector home for the weekend." Absent contrary advice, you're on safer ground—and you're free to claim there's no rule, in rebuttal. ▪

For every problem there is a solution which is simple, clean
and wrong.
—Henry Louis Menken (1880-1956)

Common cause

There is often division (or animosity, call it what you will) between Professional and Academic staff. There shouldn't be. (At Universities I prefer the title 'Professional,' rather than 'General.')

I've heard every kind of story about condescending, arrogant and obstructionist behaviour—and no group enjoys a monopoly. And when budgets (or timelines) are tight, existing problems are exacerbated. Arguments about who are the most needed or the most important in the organisation are worse than useless.

Everyone who fronts a job at your university is a colleague. And to some extent, the benefits of your work depend on how others do theirs.

Professionalism, dignity at work, a safe and harassment-free workplace are all matters that must be blind to job classifications. The truth is simple, Professional and Academic staff have common cause.

But I raise all this not to ruminate about either the work or old complaints, but to warn against those who would divide staff. I believe that anyone (or any organisation) who tries to place (or take advantage of) a wedge between Professional and Academic staff is no friend to either, and no friend to the University.

Esprit de corps is great—if you're aware what the corps is. ▪

Beauty isn't worth thinking about;
what's important is your mind.
You don't want a fifty-dollar haircut on a fifty-cent head.
—Garrison Keillor (b. 1942)