Half-baked

Imagine this. You are asked to bake a cake. You are given some ingredients and a list of instructions for making the cake. You look down at the list, and then to the countertop. Surveying what is there you notice that the list says things like, "It would be best to use eggs." You look at the countertop and notice that there are no eggs. "So how many should I use, I have made cakes before and have used three eggs, but I am unsure of how fluffy you want your cake?" Then a deep voice, from nowhere imparticular says, "I am sorry, but the actual number of eggs that you need is confidential." You sit and ponder this. "Well, what about the amount of oil? You have oil here. This is good, but I need to know how much your particular cake needs." Again, the deep voice replies, "Yes, that information would be helpful, but our Adminstration does not feel that you need to know this. It is confidential. If we share this information, there are some who would be concerned that you have knowledge about oil measurements." This task begins to look increasingly daunting as you reply, "I have made cakes before, I understand the process, I know how high I can turn up the temperature before the cake burns, but you want a very specific cake, you hired me to make the cake for you, so why would you not want to give me all of the information needed, to ensure you get the best cake possible?" There is no response from the deep voice for a moment, and then without warning you hear "We want you to do the best that you can, with what you have been given. We know you will still be successful. We have faith in you and your ability." You scream out to the voice, "YES! Just not as successful as I could be if you give me all of the information!"
You deliver a half-baked, lop-sided cake, and you cannot help but to feel cheated because you know that you did not deliver your best cake. You think, "What I could have given them if they had just given me all of the information! What I could have done for you, your employees, and the company!"

Facilitators, trainers, educators, are seen as some of the best speakers and motivators in the world. Yet, it is a constant, on-going battle with red tape, which binds us from performing at full capacity! It is like telling a child to run as fast as they can, and then holding onto their jacket hood while they do so, and all while still expecting them to finish the race in first place. What is it with corporate culture? Do you really believe that you are doing a diservice to your employees when you provide vital information regarding performance to someone who can increase their productivity, customer service or time management? Is it so awful that someone who lives and breathes confidentiality (most external trainers and consultants will not publicly discuss fees, client lists, or curriculum content) would have access to private information in order to produce increased results for your company? Now the company is the little boy! They are allowing themselves to be dragged back to the starting line when they repeatedly do not allow the educator to DO THEIR JOB!

This type of mentality will always give you half-baked results. For the sake of your company people, give your educator the tools that they need to do the best that they can for you, your employee and company. Do not be the "drag" in the race, or the reason that they can only deliver a lop-sided cake.