HU

At work, my client strongly emphasizes the use of "Human Performance (HU) Tools". So much, in fact, that we started getting daily emails with a new tool to keep in mind. They started off in the format of a list of practices associated with each tool. For example:

OWNERSHIP, RESPONSIBILITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY
1. Be a role model. Maintain uncompromising standards. Hold yourself and others

accountable.

2. Understand your roles and responsibilities and assist others in doing the same.

3. Demonstrate behaviors that reflect S&L’s core principles, values, and beliefs.

4. Proactively identify issues, take responsibility, and make decisions at the right level to

initiate action.

5. Honor your commitments and support agreed-upon positions.

6. Recognize what your signature means: read, understand, and agree.

But apparently, they've run out of those sorts of tips, because for the past few days, the format is more like someone emailing me a story about a personal experience, like such:

Verify assumptions

His request approved, the CNN News photographer quickly used a cell phone to call the local airport to charter a flight. He was told a twin-engine plane would be waiting for him at the airport. Arriving at the airfield, he spotted a plane warming up outside a hanger. He jumped in with his bag, slammed the door shut, and shouted, 'Let's go'. The pilot taxied out, swung the plane into the wind and took off. Once in the air, the photographer instructed the pilot, 'Fly over the valley and make low passes so I can take pictures of the fires on the hillsides.’ 'Why?' asked the pilot. 'Because I'm a photographer for CNN', he responded, 'and I need to get some close up shots.' The pilot was strangely silent for a moment; finally he stammered, 'So, what you're telling me is . . . You're NOT my flight instructor?'

WTF??
Or like this...

Practice using the HU Tools

I have a hammer and a saw at home; this doesn’t make me a carpenter. I have a brother that is a carpenter and he jokes that my house is where wood goes to be sawed into small, useless pieces. The major difference is the amount of practice with the tools. My brother has used the tools of his craft for many years and is very good with them. HU Tools are part of the tools of our craft, make sure we use them each day.


Seriously?
And then there is my favorite story so far...

Using HU Tools will keep our mistakes from becoming our client’s problems

No parent wants to hear “that baby’s ugly” which is something my parents had to get use to. This is similar to the fact no one wants to hear their work has mistakes. While my parents can’t do anything about their ugly baby; we can make sure to use our HU tools to find our mistakes and ensure they don’t become our clients’ problem.

Wow. Who is writing this crap?
It just keeps getting weirder and weirder.