Finding A Way - With Others

I am unwrapping posts from the archives and mixing the old with the new. Enjoy this post from the past.

I have written previously about how, in HR, we are bound by so many rules and regulations that the challenge lies in us finding ways to get the job done in spite of them. There are grey areas, there is wiggle room, and there are self-imposed interpretations that can be more restrictive than they need to be. Our challenge as leaders is being able to look at an issue from a new perspective.

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In a post on Fast Company, Donna Karlin leads with a quote a rings true to me,"We don't see things are they are, we see things as we are" - Anais Nin

Getting beyond ourselves and what we've always done and realizing that what you thought was an absolute, non-negotiable truth, absolutely was not. What you thought was a solid wall might actually have a weak spot for a nice bay window - there may be a way around, or better yet right through, a perceived barrier to meeting an organizational need or to providing a service.

There may be a way but we will need to do our homework first.

How did I get here? Not by any planful way at all but by a few different conversations, venting sessions and very frustrating interpersonal interactions. They were all converging, blending, stirring and then . . .  at one "AHA" moment, a possibility came to me on my way into work one morning. "Of course, why didn't we see that sooner?"  This possibility suddenly shone a new light on all previous interactions and conversations.

I am only able to accomplish the things that I do because of those around me and we may have stumbled upon a window in a seemingly airtight room. But you know what, even if we find out that is isn't, it has reminded me of the value in discussing issues, listening to dissenting opinions, allowing all sides of an issue to be presented, and more so, of the value of that each and every person.

===> Do you think leaders need to "Grow up and Lead?" I do. Help me spread the word by clicking here and then "Yes, please write this manifesto" at ChangeThis. Voting ends Jan 4.

The Goals Post

If you don't know where you are going, it's easy to end up exactly where you didn't want to be. Knowing what you want to achieve and where you want to end up will make you more likely to end up achieving those things.

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Good Riddance!

2012 was a year for the books and I am ready to close the covers on them right now.  I lost my way as I pushed through months of 12-hour days and an HR-crazy stream of thoughts, leadership worries and miscellaneous things to-do. I should have seen it coming but I did not. And when I did, it was too late.

A well-planned last day of work before the holiday weekend quickly went awry at 7:30 a.m. with a text the kid had a broken wire the last day the orthodontist office would be open for the next five days. They squeezed her into a 2:40 p.m. appointment slot and my now-shortened work day continued to veer off course with HR happenings and a delayed arrival of holiday flowers for our staff. The flowers arrived 30 minutes before I had to leave so we walked swiftly through the department delivering bud vases to all.

I opened a closed door, bounded in with glee and, unknown to me at the moment, stepped in it big time. Once I slowed down, I put the pieces of the afternoon together and realized what I had done. The door was closed for a reason and it was not because of the noise in the hallway as I had presumed. I clumsily intruded into grief.

Looking Forward

It was a comedy of errors except that it wasn't funny at all. This was not me, this was not my leadership. Yet, it was. When I  later realized what I had done, it was all I could do to not cry for my action and for the reactionary, singularly focused and extremely tired state I let myself slip into.  Right then and there I silently committed to the lane of traffic to my left,  to my daughter in the passenger seat to my right and to myself, to get it together for 2013.

Doing 2013 Better

If 2012 wasn't all you wanted it to be, here are four ways you can transform 2013 into a year to remember.

1. Reflect. Where did you meet, exceed or fall short of your expectations? What impact will you have over the next 12 months? Who were you as a leader, colleague, family member or friend? What were you most proud of? Where will you pull back? Where will you stretch?
2. Focus. Take a tip from Chris Brogan and forgo the idea of a resolution. Instead, come up with 3 words that will help you define your goals and experiences for the coming year. As you move through the year, "execute on the meaning of those three words each month."
3. Be Intentional.  There is a difference between writing to produce new content and writing to change ideas.  Whether you are writing, leading, recharging an exercise plan or starting a new business, define the "why" behind your choice. Take actions that support your intent and toss the rest.
4. Be Accountable. Not to bore you with platitudes but the means do not always justify the ends, your actions speak louder than your words, and you may fool some of the people some of the time but you won't fool them all. Really. Choose not to do business with those that are anything less than the real deal.

Now is the time to take that first step in the right direction. I'm putting plans in place to execute on my three words - Story. Flow. Tribe.

Did 2012 go as you had planned? What do you have up your sleeve for 2013?