Freeness of Speech

I saw an interesting communication phenomena a few years back. I was running a project for one line of business while I actually reported to a different line of business. There was some new business case process being implemented and a special meeting was called. Most of the people attending the meeting were two or three levels of management below the lady who facilitated the discussion. She went through her spiel and asked if there were any questions. Although I was not disrespectful, I was forthright in my questions and expected candid responses. The other attendees were considerably more timid. It was clear they had a reverence for the facilitator and did not want to do or say anything that would reflect badly on anyone.

Then and since, I’ve observed this particular manager through impartial eyes. She treats her people fairly with appropriate body language and verbal etiquette. In other words, making people feel comfortable to open up their true feelings requires skill and diligence. Hierarchy structured organization makes this particularly challenging. Therefore, don’t forget the importance of fostering freeness of speech.

Short Meetings

Communication is always key in any work endeavor, however, you have to remember that how we communicate has as big an impact as the message being communicated. You may want to check this post about how programmers feel about meetings (http://management.curiouscatblog.net/2008/02/22/what-motivates-programmers/). Rarely should a meeting be the only way to communicate something. A long meeting is never an appropriate way to communicate since our attention will drift in and out over long periods of time. The shorter your meetings, the more you will be liked and the more effective the meeting results.

The Snowflake

As I write this, snow is falling. Every snowflake is unique. We often don’t think of their distinctiveness when shoveling snow or throwing snowballs. One snowflake may do us little good, but many, many snowflakes together can make up a snowball, a snowman, or a ski run.

This brings synergy to my mind. When we purchase a product or use a service, we often only think of the product, service, or company as a one entity. I don’t know if snowballs wouldn’t be possible if snowflakes weren’t unique. Synergy, however, wouldn’t be possible if people weren’t unique. I encourage you to value every person that’s part of any business process. By valuing each person individually, whether you are on the buy or sell side of a transaction, your snowballs will pack a greater punch.

Is that sanction or sanction?

Do you want to sanction that or should we put a sanction on it? That sounds redundant, however, sanction can have two diametrically opposite meanings. It can mean to formally approve, but sanction also means a formal restriction.

Yesterday I saw a woman walking about ten yards from me. She tilted her head to one side. She may have been holding a cell phone, but from the angle I saw her I couldn’t say for sure. She emanated either hysterical laughing or deep sobbing. I couldn’t tell if she just lost her job or had found out great news.

These examples indicate the importance of true communication. We have to provide an atmosphere where open and honest communication is possible. An important aspect on our part is sensitivity. If we lash out formally or informally when we hear something we don’t like or don’t understand, we are creating a communication barrier. Others should feel comfortable asking if we mean sanction or sanction. We need the sensitivity to discern if someone is upset or if they are experiencing schadenfreude.

Memory Motivates

Take a look at Mike Neiss post to Tom Peters Weblog (http://www.tompeters.com/entries.php?rss=1&note=http://www.tompeters.com/blogs/main/010250.php). He demonstrates that any brief periods of great insight are usually preceded by long periods of hard work. Those amazing instances of epiphany (the Aha! Moment) can be career or life changing events. Just like a gold miner who finds a few nuggets and is hungry for more, memory of an epiphany can keep us going. We want to experience that feeling where a resolution becomes clear or we reach a new level of understanding. Dwelling on these memories gives us a great reminder of why we are working hard. Memory motivates.

Two Key Outcomes of Vision

Putting together and seeing the big picture impacts work in a big way: 1) Motivation and 2) Problem Reduction.

When you clearly communicate the vision for your effort, people are motivated. They recognize their efforts are not mundane. They can take pride in their work.

When people understand the big picture because of the vision that has been communicated, problems are also reduced. This helps understand why they are doing what they are doing. It allows everyone to gain an appreciation of how the puzzle pieces fit together allowing tasks to get done according to the spirit of the law not just the letter of the law.

You can either say: 1) I put tab A into slot B, 2) I make money by being an assembly line worker, or 3) I build the safest, coolest, fastest cars on the road. The choice is yours.

Work Balance - The Picture

I sit here in a doctor’s waiting room. Recent temperatures have been swinging by as much 30 degrees Fahrenheit. The receptionist said they have been busy non-stop for the last two months. When I asked her if they had been challenged to keep their balance, her face lit up with a smile. “Absolutely”, she said.

That woman immediately connected with the importance of balance as it relates to work. Take a look at the symbol of ergolibrium that is showing on the left side of this blog. Which part of your work belongs on the anvil side of the symbol? Which part of your work belongs on the quill side? If your work is out of balance, you will only be able to proceed at one speed – slow.