i have no patience with anyone who refuses to listen, close their minds to possibilities and ideas, and above all, keeps harping on how things were done previously. and i didn't like it when despite trying to explain, i get interjected again and again, until i have to eventually use a very firm tone and call the team stop it and let me finish what i have to say before they speak their thoughts! need such tones once a while to get the conversation going, even if it meant making people feel uncomfortable. and i do admit that i myself am very uncomfortable to use such tone of voice.
i have never gotten into situations where i have to use such firm tones (almost to the point where i sound mad) as much as in the recent months. things at work are in a state of fundamental change and despite the months of framing, rationalisation, communications efforts, and workshops to align and bring people along with change, i still get people who focus inwards onto their own areas when issues arise and choose to adopt a "last time, this was how it was done and i expect this to still be done now" approach rather than a more productive approach of "ok, let's see how we can work this out together".
hard not to lose my top! darned! i think this work is creating all the angst in me. i am beginning to also not like myself.
hard not to lose my top! darned! i think this work is creating all the angst in me. i am beginning to also not like myself.
lol!
Hi Jeffrey,
ReplyDeleteI feel for you: getting people to embrace fundamental change is rarely easy. People have so many fears and insecurities that take control of them in such times. Unfortunately, those fears can be self-fulfilling prophecies if they refuse to adapt. Deer frozen in the headlights is not a good scene.
Try not to internalize their reactions and the push you must give. You know you are trying to help them through the changes and to have a future with the company. Of course, everyone will make a decision on one side or the other. Do what is necessary now to help create the culture you envision. Or put another way, carry the pain now for a better future. Don't tolerate saboteurs. People who do live with that mistake until it is corrected.
Best wishes, Edwin
Thanks Edwin.
ReplyDeleteOne of my weakest point is that I tend to give people too much leeway to navigate and talk. And as a strong believer of one speaker at a time, it irks me to have people interject me again and again and to keep repeating their unproductive point of view. Just have to manage.
Thanks for dropping a note. As always, it is great to hear from you!
Jeffrey