On a recent “wander and ponder” (e.g. hike) with the Boone Dog, we happened along this sign.

I stared at the sign for an inordinately long time trying to understand its purpose.  Clearly, there was something ahead about which I should be warned otherwise why place a caution about there being no warning signs for the next three miles.  And apparently, the warnings would resume after this distance.  But for some reason, for the next three miles, no warnings would be provided.  Couldn’t this last sign at least given me a clue as to what I might encounter in the next three miles?  Are there dangerous curves?  Sliding rocks?  Marauding elephants?  Zombie apocalypse?

As we continued along the road (because I am both curious AND a man, which means a sign like this is like a magnet for me), I tried to recreate the conversation that led up to the decision to place this sign, with this wording, in this spot.  It occurred to me that this was likely a committee decision and the committee was composed of each of the four iconic interactive styles that I discuss in my book The Power of Understanding People.  Here is how I imagined that meeting.

Committee Chair (Warrior) – “Last on our agenda is ‘Other Business.’  Does anyone have anything they want to discuss before I close the meeting?”

Committee member (Romantic) – “Yes, I have something that I think needs our attention.”

Committee Chair (Warrior) — <Heavy sigh at the thought that the meeting will now continue> “What’s that?”

Romantic – “Well, last weekend I was driving in the country west of Walla Walla.  I don’t get out that way much.  Let me tell you, it is really pretty.  The views are gorgeous.  If you have the time, be sure to take your family out…”

Warrior – “Is there a point to this story?”

Romantic — <a little offended that she was interrupted> “Yes.  During my drive, I took this road that was very dangerous.  There were some sharp, hidden curves and hills with blind spots.  The edge of the road had steep, long drop offs and the whole thing was narrow.  Oh, and the road was made of loose gravel so if you go too fast you can easily lose control and roll down an embankment.  Anyway, for three full miles there were no warning signs about these conditions or posted speed limits.  I think we need to place some signs out there.”

Warrior – “Fine, we’ll place some signs out there.”

Committee Member (Expert) – “We only have the budget left for one sign.  For three miles we would need at least four signs; one at the beginning, one at the end and two in the middle.  So, if we are going to do this right, we will need to file a budget deviation request with the Fiscal Responsibility Committee to get their approval for going over budget.”

Warrior – “Can’t we just take some money out of the annual Holiday Party account?”

Expert – “We would have to file a budget revision request with the Budget Committee.”

Warrior — <looking at his watch> “Good Lord.  Okay, so we have one sign.  We can’t list all those dangers on one sign.  What should the sign say?

Romantic – “How about, ‘Warning:  Next three miles are very dangerous!”

Expert – “From a legal standpoint, I think that would open us up to litigation.  If we know it is dangerous and do not provide additional guidance to the driver, then I think they could sue us because we had knowledge of the danger but chose not to warn them.”

Warrior — “Oh for goodness sake.  Let’s just put a sign up that will make the driver more aware of conditions.  Something like, ‘Be careful for the next three miles.’”

Expert – “We don’t have any signs like that.  That would require a special order.  We would need to file paperwork with the Special Accommodations Committee.  The only sign we have in stock is that one we ordered in 1993 when we had that major re-paving projects and ran out of warning signs.  It says, “Caution – No Warning Signs.  Of course, the danger was pretty obvious since you could see all the equipment around.”

Warrior – “Well, if that’s all we have, let’s go with that.”

Romantic – “It’s pretty vague, but I guess it’s better than nothing.  Could we at least add another sign that tells the driver how long they need to be really cautious?”

Expert – “We can add a small ‘Next 3 Miles’ sign without filing a budget deviation request.”

Warrior – “Sounds good.  John, you have been quiet over there.  Any thoughts?”

John (Mastermind) – “I can’t wait to drive on that road!”