One individual winning.
If that's the key focus at work, at the expense of teams winning, the workplace will be miserable. Even the individuals who supposedly "win" in this workplace game of survival will be miserable - but accept their ultimate hate of work as just part of the price that needs to be paid to ultimately come out on top.
Popular culture has done very little to promote teamwork; alternatively, it has glorified those who survive no matter how many bodies are left behind. Witness, in fact, "Survivor." Watch any episode of the Real Housewives and seemingly all that matters is who has the last word. Even something as innocuous as House Hunters creates drama between partners: "Who will win out - the person who wants the Tudor Cottage or the person who wants the mid-century modern?" We are led to believe that absolutely everything is a contest in which ultimately there is one winner and a field of woe-be-gone left-behinds.
Yes, I realize this is all in the name of drama. But "good drama" does not make good workplaces.
And if there is any remaining doubt that we glorify one individual winning in our public culture, just take a look at the current political landscape. Is anybody. . .anyone. . .happy with that?
If this is the perspective we bring to work - no wonder we hate it so. Spending 8+ hours per day wondering who lied to get ahead or who stabbed us in the back so they can take our place is not a productive use of time or energy. Seriously, no one should want to live (or work) this way. And contrary to some popular story lines, it does not produce excellence or even mediocre work. It produces a hero for approximately an hour and then it is on to the next drama.
So as much as we want this madness to stop, we have ownership in that decision. We can stop wishing for (or even worshipping) division, game playing and one-ups-manship. We can stop the hero worship of those who are so obviously selfish human beings. We can stop being pawns.
For those of us fortunate to work in collaborative, team-oriented environments - we realize how much this contributes to the enjoyment of work and the joy of accomplishment.
Glorify accomplishment and team work. Own that, hold it and exercise it. Then you will love work. . .and life.
And get a lot more done.
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My book "Courageous Questions, Confident Leaders" is available on Amazon Kindle.
Friday, January 25, 2019
Friday, January 18, 2019
Door Activated, Keep Moving
I'm walking through the automated sliding doors and for the first time read one of those ever-present signs that we are all supposed to read - but never do.
"Door Activated, Keep Moving."
The purpose behind these four words must be this: as customers approach the sliding glass door they experience a certain amount of uncertainty and anxiety as to whether the sliding glass panel will actually open. Out of doubt, they (unnecessarily) stop. This stopping not only impedes their own progress, but the progress of those following. If they would just keep moving - everything would be fine.
So I think about how we operate in our own lives. We believe something is supposed to happen. We have every right to believe it's going to happen. Yet, we pause unnecessarily because we don't really have faith that it is going to happen. And we stop moving forward.
I know I have done this hundreds of times. I've impeded my own progress, and the progress of others, because of irrational doubts.
Looking at the example of the sliding door, I recognized these facts. The store was open for business. I could see that there was a door that was available for me to use. I have seen these doors open hundreds, if not thousands, of times. I kept moving because I had more confidence in these facts than I did in my self-doubt that the door wouldn't open.
So I'm not suggesting a "blind trust." Certainly we need to know what are the facts of the world around us and what the history has been. But if we have that information - shouldn't we just "keep moving." Why impede progress, both for ourselves and others, when all we have to justify "stopping" is our own internal suspicions or self doubts? These things are not good enough to keep us from moving forward.
There are doors that present themselves to us every day. These doors, or opportunities, are supported by what we know to be true. Let's not unnecessarily deprive ourselves of these opportunities due to unfounded superstitions. Let's just "Keep Moving."
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My book "Courageous Questions, Confident Leaders" is available on Amazon Kindle.
"Door Activated, Keep Moving."
The purpose behind these four words must be this: as customers approach the sliding glass door they experience a certain amount of uncertainty and anxiety as to whether the sliding glass panel will actually open. Out of doubt, they (unnecessarily) stop. This stopping not only impedes their own progress, but the progress of those following. If they would just keep moving - everything would be fine.
So I think about how we operate in our own lives. We believe something is supposed to happen. We have every right to believe it's going to happen. Yet, we pause unnecessarily because we don't really have faith that it is going to happen. And we stop moving forward.
I know I have done this hundreds of times. I've impeded my own progress, and the progress of others, because of irrational doubts.
Looking at the example of the sliding door, I recognized these facts. The store was open for business. I could see that there was a door that was available for me to use. I have seen these doors open hundreds, if not thousands, of times. I kept moving because I had more confidence in these facts than I did in my self-doubt that the door wouldn't open.
So I'm not suggesting a "blind trust." Certainly we need to know what are the facts of the world around us and what the history has been. But if we have that information - shouldn't we just "keep moving." Why impede progress, both for ourselves and others, when all we have to justify "stopping" is our own internal suspicions or self doubts? These things are not good enough to keep us from moving forward.
There are doors that present themselves to us every day. These doors, or opportunities, are supported by what we know to be true. Let's not unnecessarily deprive ourselves of these opportunities due to unfounded superstitions. Let's just "Keep Moving."
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My book "Courageous Questions, Confident Leaders" is available on Amazon Kindle.
Friday, January 11, 2019
Having Faith in Our Own Lives
An actress is waiting in the wings prior to her performance. She has "butterflies." She always has "butterflies." Even though she has done this role exactly 486 times. And, when her right foot steps forward onto that stage, she moves with the utmost confidence that, supported by her successful history, she will attain excellence.
A surgeon begins the fifth procedure of the day. While all of the preliminary tests have been done, the surgeon is well aware that sometimes surprises await in the midst of a procedure. Is the surgeon completely at ease with this? No. The surgeon knows, however, that based on education and experience, that he/she have a proven skill set that will serve both the professional staff and the patient well.
And we come to work each morning. We may know what faces us, we may not. We may be anxious in either case. Yet, we should approach each and every day with the faith that "We've done this before." "We've not only survived, but we have thrived." "We have learned lessons that will enable us to course correct to a successful conclusion."
From my personal experience, I know there are traces of anxiety with each new experience (and each day brings a new experience). And that's fine. But, if we let these traces grow to doubts about our own skill sets and talents and knowledge, then we have truly over-indexed and are doing ourselves a disfavor. Or, if we let these traces of uncertainty bring to light our resources - then we are in the game!
Because, seriously, we've done this before. We're here! We know more and we've grown exponentially. (If we haven't, what's the point?) We may never be totally prepared - but we have immeasurable resources to get through whatever we face.
We should justifiably have faith in what we have learned. We should trust the knowledge we've gained. We should be thankful for what we've accomplished and what we have gotten through.
We should have faith in our own lives.
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My book "Courageous Questions, Confident Leaders" is available on Amazon Kindle.
A surgeon begins the fifth procedure of the day. While all of the preliminary tests have been done, the surgeon is well aware that sometimes surprises await in the midst of a procedure. Is the surgeon completely at ease with this? No. The surgeon knows, however, that based on education and experience, that he/she have a proven skill set that will serve both the professional staff and the patient well.
And we come to work each morning. We may know what faces us, we may not. We may be anxious in either case. Yet, we should approach each and every day with the faith that "We've done this before." "We've not only survived, but we have thrived." "We have learned lessons that will enable us to course correct to a successful conclusion."
From my personal experience, I know there are traces of anxiety with each new experience (and each day brings a new experience). And that's fine. But, if we let these traces grow to doubts about our own skill sets and talents and knowledge, then we have truly over-indexed and are doing ourselves a disfavor. Or, if we let these traces of uncertainty bring to light our resources - then we are in the game!
Because, seriously, we've done this before. We're here! We know more and we've grown exponentially. (If we haven't, what's the point?) We may never be totally prepared - but we have immeasurable resources to get through whatever we face.
We should justifiably have faith in what we have learned. We should trust the knowledge we've gained. We should be thankful for what we've accomplished and what we have gotten through.
We should have faith in our own lives.
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My book "Courageous Questions, Confident Leaders" is available on Amazon Kindle.
Friday, January 4, 2019
Excellence vs. Perfection
As the new year rings in - so do promises to be better. And as we set our sights on goals and what we wish for ourselves, our families and our businesses, often two words play a dominant role: "Excellence" vs "Perfection." They are not mutually exclusive to one another, but I think it is important to recognize the differences between the two.
Perfection is seldom attained: excellence is a more realistic goal.
Perfection is not flexible; it often does not have fluidity that allows it to move with the times. Excellence, I think, is the opposite; it respects and often commands fluidity.
Perfection has only one answer; excellence often has many answers. Excellence should thrive on options and creativity.
One mistake and we are not perfect; excellence is far more forgiving. In fact, one can make the case that great work is built on the ability to make mistakes and learn from that process.
Perfection is an end-game; excellence is an ongoing journey.
Then one has to ask the question: is perfection a reality? Perhaps in the world of numbers in which we recognize that 2+2=4; but does excellence exceed perfection in its ability to allow greater inquiry and entrepreneurial spirit? Does excellence allow us to set our sights further? Does excellence afford us the great opportunities of continued personal and professional growth? I believe it does.
Then, let's choose excellence.
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My book "Courageous Questions, Confident Leaders" is available on Amazon Kindle.
Perfection is seldom attained: excellence is a more realistic goal.
Perfection is not flexible; it often does not have fluidity that allows it to move with the times. Excellence, I think, is the opposite; it respects and often commands fluidity.
Perfection has only one answer; excellence often has many answers. Excellence should thrive on options and creativity.
One mistake and we are not perfect; excellence is far more forgiving. In fact, one can make the case that great work is built on the ability to make mistakes and learn from that process.
Perfection is an end-game; excellence is an ongoing journey.
Then one has to ask the question: is perfection a reality? Perhaps in the world of numbers in which we recognize that 2+2=4; but does excellence exceed perfection in its ability to allow greater inquiry and entrepreneurial spirit? Does excellence allow us to set our sights further? Does excellence afford us the great opportunities of continued personal and professional growth? I believe it does.
Then, let's choose excellence.
Like it? Share it!
My book "Courageous Questions, Confident Leaders" is available on Amazon Kindle.
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