How do you respond when the heat is on in the workplace? When life throws you a circumstance that is out of your control? As an executive coach, I have see three typical non-productive responses from winners when they sense a loss on the horizon. First, some run and hide. They double down on their individual effort and cut off needed communication with their teams, When uncertainty hits, you'll find this person locked in their office, avoiding anything and anyone who would slow them down from being the sole solution to the problem. Second, others tend to placate. They tell everyone it's going to be ok, this will all work out, you will be fine. The trouble comes when they try harder to please the team who is angry, frustrated, or fearful than they are actually helping them to define the problem and solve it. In uncertain times, the last place you'll find this person is in their office because it the one place where, alone with their thoughts, they'd be forced to face the problem squarely. Finally, some lash out. They are angry that they can't get control of the situation and they scream, defend, belitttle, or worse so that others get on board with fixing things, now! If things are uncertain, you'll find this person roaming the halls, inspecting the efforts of others, or working the phones to drive people harder. They look to command anything and anyone that can get this monkey off their back! You can see the ineffective results that come from all of these non-productive ways to problem solving. My question is, how about you? Can you identify which of these three styles is your go-to for eliminating the discomfort you feel when you start losing control of a situation, circumstance, or person? If you can, that's a good start to growing beyond them. My experience has been that change starts with awareness of a problem and when it comes to non-productive behavior we often need the voice of our team to help us see clearly where we need to change. Maybe that's what has allowed you to chose your style so easily. Someone's let you know what it's like to be on the other side of you when uncertainty rules the moment. Someone once said doing the same thing and expecting a different result is the definition of insanity! If you know your style, are you working to change? Do you have a personal growth plan that includes measuring the impact of how your changing is increasing productivity in your organization? If not, let's have a conversation. Complete the introduction form below and receive a 30 min strategy call with me, valued at $125, for free! W. Shane McKenzie is The Leadership Transformation Coach. He helps leaders achieve greater effectiveness and become more fulfilled in their work by facilitating positive changes in their leadership behaviors. Join the Leadership Transformation Roundtable to get your copy of the questionnaire Shane uses to discover how close his intentions match the reality of those he leads. What others are saying about W. Shane McKenzie "I’ve worked with Shane for several years. He possesses a unique and highly effective combination of strategy, team leader and great communicator, a rare combination. He has a very strategic mind so he makes connections and sees disjointed paths where others do not. This allows him to both plot direction and execute the path to success. He’s truly committed to the greatness in others. He listens fully, asks the right questions at the right time, and gives us the space to both think and respond." - Linda Lindquist-Bishop, Strategic Facilitator, Speaker, Exit Planning for Business Owners, and World Champion Athlete “Shane has the ability to frame a conversation in a way that brings a thought or concept full circle. He’s excellent at tying each session together, which helped me recognize a pattern of growth. He’s not a “teacher”; he’s a discussion facilitator…in other words these sessions aren’t built around Shane teaching concepts. This method of facilitation opens the door for personal application, which is critical to this development process. He asked questions that forced me to think with intention.”- G. Williams, Product Manager |
AuthorW. Shane McKenzie is an Executive Coach and Mentor who specializes in helping successful leaders leave their job to own a business using proven strategies to minimize risk. Archives
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