Let’s say someone asks you to put together a model car. You’re given the raw materials and are shown a picture of what the car should look like in the end. If you have to call that person every step of the way to verify an action, you’re kind of negating the value for him. He’s not saving time if he has to babysit you. Make yourself valuable by developing your own instincts and following through on them.

The previous paragraph is a direct quote from an article by Toni Bowers, Senior Editor at Techrepublic.com in her regular column, View from the Cubicle. The message there is something I believe all employees should have. Especially in our company.

I am one of the training officers in our company and the most common “ailment” (so to speak) that I find in my trainees is the habit of asking me for step-by-step confirmation of whether what they are doing is correct. I usually give barebones instructions and leave my trainees to do as they please as long as they accomplish the required output within the time given. This leaves room for creativity.