The more experience you gain, the more discretion you are granted regarding what you do and how you do it. Over time, you develop preferred ways of doing your work. Sometimes, those ways need to be examined because they have lost their usefulness or are more appropriate for someone your junior. That’s why, when you are questioned about one of your practices, you have a normal reaction: you justify it. Give a reason. Explain the WHOLE situation. After all, you have a case to make.

What you end up doing is elevating the practice in question as more important and valuable beyond what it deserves. That is, you noble-ize it. This is especially true when you are promoted to a new role but you are reluctant to let go of the activities and practices more appropriate to your previous role.

Here are a few examples of noble-izing comments I’ve heard.

 “I can’t attend the marketing opportunity because someone has to stay behind and do the work.”

“It’s quicker for me to just do it rather than explain it.”

“I’m so intent on bringing in new business that I don’t have time to do my billing and collecting.”

“I don’t want to discourage the staff so I’ll withhold corrective feedback.”

“I have to be in-your-face because I want to get people’s attention.”

“I’d rather be efficient for my clients, so I’m going to do it the old way.”

You’ve done such a fine job convincing yourself of noble-izing your practices, it’s nearly impossible to recognize them yourself. About the only way to know what you noble-ize is to get feedback from others. They can see it for what it is. And you will too, if you will put your justifications aside.

This week, reconsider a practice of yours that has been called into question by others. Be noble and quit noble-izing.