When is the Work Ever Done?

The interview question goes something like this:  "How do you know when it is time to go home at the end of the day?"

And the eager interviewee will answer:  "When all of the work is done."

Really?

I think the answer demonstrates a basic misunderstanding about the purpose of work.  In reality, we should probably recognize that the work is never really done.

Let's not confuse "tasks" with "work."   We may well complete a task, or several tasks during the day - and that means that specific task is done.   It does not mean, however, that everything that we could possibly do is done.  The very nature of work is that it goes on. . .even without us.  In all likelihood, when the time comes for us to leave a job - the work doesn't end - it just changes the person who is doing the work.

I think this brings us to a fundamental discomfort with work; and that fundamental discomfort is unfortunate.  Let's understand that work is purpose.  Work sustains life. (Even if we aren't working in a job - it doesn't mean we aren't working.  Cleaning the house is work.   Buying groceries is work.  Even planning a holiday can be considered work).  Culturally we are so pressed to "play" that the concept of work becomes undesirable  - and generally that's wrong.

What's right is to understand the balance we need between work and play, between professional life and personal life - and to be comfortable in that balance.

The work, much like the play, is always present.  The opportunities of both always wait.  The work is never really done.

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My book "Courageous Questions, Confident Leaders"  is available on Amazon Kindle. 

Be Prepared to Lose a Few

Somehow we confuse being right all of the time and winning every battle as excellence.

It's not.

Our obsession with "all wins and no losses" creates a culture in which we believe we cannot fail;  we cannot be wrong.    Both of these beliefs are not in the realm of realism.

Every day when we wake up we should acknowledge that we will be the best we can be.   That means "putting it out there."   And "putting it out there" means that certainly we will make some wrong assumptions, err in judgment and lose a few.  If we didn't do these things, we would not be doing our jobs as humans.

The challenge is that we often look at this from one point of view:  our own.  It is that one dimensional aspect of "how does this impact me?"   "What do others think of me now that I've made a mistake/shown I'm vulnerable?"

The other dimensions of this are as follows:   if as individuals we  are "wrong" and someone else is right. . .and we acknowledge that and move forward. . .then universally we have participated in excellence.  We have challenged the status quo, we have played hard, we have contributed. . .and through that process, even though as an individual we may not have had the "right" answer - we enabled the larger sense of ourselves, our team, achieve a better answer.

Often I claim (perhaps with a little bit of pride) that I don't have to have all of the right answers - that I will probably be wrong more often than I am right.   I make that claim confident in the knowledge that I play hard, do good work, am skilled at my craft and know what I'm doing.     Through that confidence, I also know that as a group we will do excellent work.

Don't let "winning" get in the way of excellence.

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My book "Courageous Questions, Confident Leaders" is available on Amazon Kindle.

What Difference Does It Make?

"What difference does it make?"

Commonly, this question is often interpreted as a "flip" or "cynical" response to a request.  In common use, it is usually a negative that impedes progress.

If, however, we take this response out of the arena of being a "non-caring" response to a thought process that is highly inquisitive and positive - we will see the power of the statement.  It is a statement that allows us to edit for the good.

Candidly, we get caught up in a lot of points of view, quips and innuendos - and we passionately and vociferously argue one side against the other.  At the end of the day, however, truly what difference does it make?   Often we spend a whole lot of time "defending" points of view that are either indefensible or insignificant;  not only is this a waste of time, it gets in the way of us working with the team to accomplish the bigger picture.

Our actions, thought processes and work conversation should make a difference.

If we use that statement as a barometer; it not only edits out that which is unnecessary but prompts us to do and say that  which really will make a difference.

In recent days I've been struck but how little really needs to be said to be impactful.  It needs to be thoughtful. . .it needs to be stated well and succinctly. . .and (here is  where strong listening comes in) it needs to emotionally connect with the needs and opportunities of both the audience and the work.

That's how to make a difference.

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My book "Courageous Questions, Confident Leaders" is available on Amazon Kindle.

What We Tell Ourselves

It's tricky - isn't it?

Sometimes in self-think. . ."me" conversation. . .or meditation - we can find within ourselves the most profound truth that will propel us forward in the most positive of directions.

And. . .sometimes in those quiet moments of "talking" to ourselves - we mis-lead ourselves. "I'm not good enough."  "I'm not respected."   "Things will never get better."  "This is all my fault."

This is the talk of self-doubt; and consequently, it is the talk of self-deception.   It is often the wearing of the cloak that perhaps others would (wrongfully) prescribe for us.   It is the adoption of cultural so-called norms of being told of what we "should" be.  It is leaning in to the lesser side of us - the side that doesn't have faith in that which can we done.

This talk of self-doubt can be injurious on two fronts.    We can believe that we are lesser and act as if we are lesser.   Conversely, we can believe we are less than we are but then attempt to overcompensate;   trying to be something we truly aren't.

The point is, this "self-talk" of "self-doubt" does not serve us well.   How, then, do we differentiate between this and those moments of profound personal truth?

We have been given a brain and heart with which to judge.    That which serves us well is often organic to us.  It knows and embraces our natural talents and instincts.   It takes into account that which we know to be true (positive self-talk is a great believer in truth and integrity).   It is inherent within us.

And to differentiate - that which is harmful to us is often that which we choose to cut and paste from people who do not wish us the very best.

What we tell ourselves daily is important to our success;  more importantly, it is foundational to what we are.      If we choose to adopt that which others say, what people say we should be - that foundation is quicksand.    If we utilize that which we know to be true within ourselves - it is rock solid.

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My book "Courageous Questions, Confident Leaders"  is available on Amazon Kindle.