Marjorie's Blog

Saturday, August 18, 2007

On the Hunt

Recently, I facilitated a client scavenger hunt in downtown Chicago. ("Hunting" is the relaxing, fun part of my business.) Hunts are a high energy; highly anticipated event by the client whose purpose is to promotoe teambuilding. This particular client was no different—with the exception that they were HIGHLY competitive.

What do you think of when contemplating teambuilding? Perhaps…
* open communication
* helping team mates
* working together

The emphasis for me is collaboration—finding and using the synergy within the entire team. So, I was thrown off a bit when this particular client took the hunt to a new level of competitiveness. The antics of each hunt team went beyond “friendly” competition. At first, I believed their random comments were their unique sense of humor. But, sometimes, truth is disguised in sarcasm.

I heard comments ranging from bribery ("If I help you, then how many extra points do I get?") to meanness ("When they get their picture taken let’s laugh really hard and point out how stupid they look."). This is not teambuilding; it is not collaboration.

Double-check in what ways you are truly building a cohesive work team. Is it through unconscious competitveness or true teamwork? On my calendar the other day was this quote:

“Be the light that others can come to with their ideas, visions, and dreams. Never doubt that blending your talents with those of others can change the world.”

Until next time...live like you mean it!
Marjorie

Wednesday, August 15, 2007

The Boss Whisperer

In her forthcoming book, “Taming the Abrasive Manager” (Jossey-Bass/A. Wiley, October 2007), Dr. Laura Crenshaw, the self-proclaimed “Boss Whisperer,” says that abrasive bosses who “erode effectiveness, paralyze productivity, and cause workplace suffering” are found in all industries, at all levels of management, and are from all sexes, races, ages, and ethnicities.

Dr. Crenshaw has identified abrasive boss behaviors to include: overcontrol, threats, condescension, overreaction, public humiliation, hostile humor, favoritism, aggressive language, and discrimination. The picture in my head of a “boss” is one who exhibits these very characteristics. Who would actually want to work for someone like this?!

This is a far cry from the ideal team leader who is expected to show concern and compassion for the well-being of all team members. How would the abrasive boss even begin to build collaboration among the team in order to meet strategic business goals?

There are some definite steps abrasive leaders can take to smooth out the rough edges of their leadership style. The first is for the boss to reccognize the need for immediate change. If you are experiencing low morale, high turnover, and increased employee stress within your team, then there is high potential you may be the cause of the negative environment.

There is hope. I suggest picking up a copy of Dr. Crenshaw’s book to gain insight into the “what” and “how” of boss categories, and techniques on overcoming difficult behaviors. This is a time for self-reflection and honesty. It’s time to let go of your ego and consider your part in molding the future of your organization.

Until next time...live like you mean it!
Marjorie

Sunday, August 12, 2007

None of Your Business

I recently received an email from a friend who passed along this advice: “What other people think of you is none of your business.”

My first reaction was, “You are wrong. It most definitely is my business to know what other people think of me!” I started wondering…
If I don’t know what people think, then how can I improve?
If I can’t improve, then how will I know there is progress?
If there is no progress, then how do I know what value I bring to an organization?
If I don’t bring value, then what difference am I making in the life of others?

And, in that last thought was the essence of my dilemma. I would venture a guess that most leaders want to make a difference in the life of those they lead. I certainly do, but got trapped in thinking I need to change depending on the current team I am leading. Not so!

You need to be clear in who you are as a leader—what are your core characteristics and abilities; how do you communicate; what personal beliefs are most important to you. Regardless of the team you are leading, your fundamental nature should not change. You are who you are. You’ve been shaped by education, experience, and the work environment.

Leaders who constantly change their style based on expectations of their current team members fall prey to disillusionment, and will not stay true to themselves. The more you mold yourself to the team - and not who you really are - the greater your dissatisfaction with yourself and the team will be.

It is more honest to show your true leadership style rather than placate a boss or specific team members. Do not adjust how you lead a team just to get everyone to like you. First, it will never happen. Second, you serve no one (clients, peers, team members) by wearing a mask. The charade will not last long because your performance will decline. It’s better to find an organization whose values mirror your own rather than change yours just to get a job. Have the courage to find the organizational fit that best matches your core values. The wait will be worth it.

So, I’ve change my mind about wanting to know what other people think of me—it really is none of my business.

Until next time...live like you mean it!
Marjorie

Thursday, August 09, 2007

Taxicab Confessions

I travel a lot. So...it means something when I’m surprised by events on-the-road.

On the way to see a client in St. Louis, the taxicab driver was quite the talker and one of his comments caught me off guard. This just begged for me to create a list of “Things You Don’t Want to Hear From Your Cab Driver”:

1) “You just won a free trip to the Zoo for being my tenth customer!”
2) “Want to play a game of gin rummy before heading out?”
3) “Did I remember to put your luggage in the trunk?”
4) “Don’t worry about the missing inside locks—I removed them so nobody would skip out on the fare.”
5) “I have narcolepsy.”

The “I have narcolepsy” statement is the one that stunned me. What do you do with that information while traveling 65mph down the expressway?

As a leader, you are usually moving at a lightening-quick pace, and may not be fully present with your team. What sort of information might innocently slip out while you are flying through your daily tasks? It may not have been your intention to reveal a fact, yet the team now knows something sensitive and has a different perception of your leadership ability.

Here’s the kicker—depending on the type of information revealed, you may have lost the teams’ respect. It will take time and subsequent consistently good behavior to overcome this faux pas. Possible? Yes. Easy? No.

Back to St. Louis—I managed a constant stream of gibberish to keep that cab driver awake enough to get me to my hotel. I’m about to get very friendly with car rental agencies.

Until next time...live like you mean it,
Marjorie

Sunday, August 05, 2007

Vacation From the Team

You work hard all year—building your team, meeting goals, satisfying clients. So when it comes time to take a vacation, how do you decompress from the daily stress? Let’s backup and take a moment to consider whether or not the majority of us actually take some quality vacation time.

The trend for Americans is to reduce the renewing of our mind and body by squeezing “down time” into a long weekend. Why is that? It’s been my experience that leaders live in a fantasy land where they believe their team will fall apart without them. And, we couldn’t be more wrong.

It is during extended time away from the office (even 5 days will do) that we renew our sense of self; regain our perspective; reignite our vision. A true vacation provides an opportunity for clarity.

Team members appreciate a leader who returns rejuvinated and inspired to move the group forward. Taking a breather not only benefits the leader and team, but also clients and suppliers.

I’ve returned from a week in Door County, Wisconsin feeling more creative than I have in a long time, and ready to tackle the next project. Before I do take my advice—call your travel agent, book a trip, and take it.

Until next time...live like you mean it!
Marjorie