They're Watching

Assume you speak into a public address system

every time you label something as CONFIDENTIAL.

People care inordinately about what you have to say - from irritation with coffee in the cafeteria to the next merger upcoming.  You give out cues all the time.  Look outside the company for friendship and a place to spill your guts.  You are MAGNIFIED. 

Be aware of the fact that you have a virtual GRO-LITE on the top of your head EVERY MINUTE OF EVERYDAY.  Where you turn your head things start to grow - attention starts to be paid.   A  CEO who noticed an ice spot at the entrance and mentioned it only to have an expensive heated floor installed the next day.  Or the Retail ops exec who obsessed about bananas on the shelf and there were thousands of dollars o shrink in bananas that no-one cold figure out - until this exec left.   When you ask a question tell why.  If not, you will have people talking about the rationale and making up delicious stories not knowing just how boring you can be.

During times when you are considering acquisitions or restructures or other highly confidential strategic directives YOU DISAPPEAR.  YOU LEAVE A VACUUM THAT IS LIKE A NEON ANNOUNCEMENT THAT SOMETHING BIG AND SCAREY IS GOING ON.  Even when you are present you are not present.  Your preoccupation is evident.  You look sheepish and asleep at the wheel.  People gossip about you and wonder where you are and why you aren't doing your job.  And it's hard to interact when you are carrying big secrets.  It is your job to go toward the organization when there is a major transition going on.    This is when WHO  you are matters more than what you have to say.   Be physically present in as many places as possible.  CEO sitings matter more than substantial interaction.  Your presence is soothing  and grounding.  Much more than you will ever know.  This degree of truth about this  should be incredible humbling.  At hese moments you are the  papa or mama bear of the organization.  Like it or not.

Don’t be perfect.

-->Be human and flawed,

 but not when it comes to ethics

We like it if you lose your car keys all the time.

We hate it when you tell half truths to us.

We like it when you laugh about sibling rivalry at home.

We hate it when you have favorite friends at work that you socialize with.

We like it when you are nervous before a presentation.

We hate it when you talk to us maliciously about a peer of yours.

Anxiety

You are not supposed to look anxious,
so you fake it. 

You micro-manage.

Create a crisis that can be fixed.
Fire somebody.

Create a task force.
Hide.

Flirt.

Drink too much.
Let tangential remarks come out of your mouth.

Take too strong an action on a less important issue.
Talk to a receptive somebody two or three layers down
who will only comfort you.

You make them uncomfortable and
very, very, pleased to be your confidante-----

so pleased,

they will have to share what you said to prove it.

Get Real

-->

You have made it

You should be the least adapted,

most authentic person in the company,

unless you have lost yourself along the way.

If you have, take some time to get real.

That's your real gift to the organization.

Now is your time to be the best person you can be.

And if you lose, so what?

You have a contract AND a life.

like it or not

-->

Time at the top goes much faster than down a level---

Especially if people are waiting for a promotion or new assignment.

You tell people you will get something done and don't.  Horrible.

If you make or indicate promises of promotion, raises, resolution of issues,

Either do it or shut up.

Waiting too  long for promotions or substantial raise

spoils the huge X-factor of motivation and energy

for a new trajectory of achievements

During times when you are considering acquisitions

or restructures or other highly confidential strategic directives,

YOU DISAPPEAR.   

You leave a vacuum like a NEON ANNOUNCEMENT

that something BIG AND SCARY is going on.   

Even when you are present you are not present.

Your preoccupation is evident.

You look sheepish and asleep at the wheel.

People gossip about you and wonder where you are
and why you aren't doing your job.  

 And it's hard to interact when you are carrying big secrets.

It is your job to go toward the organization
when there is a major transition going on.

This is when WHO  you are matters more than
what you have to SAY.   

Be physically present in as many places as possible.

CEO sitings matter more than substantial interaction.

Your presence is soothing  and grounding.

Much more than you will ever know.

This degree of truth should be incredible humbling.

You are the  papa or mama bear of the organization.

LIKE IT OR NOT

 

You have a virtual GRO-LITE on the top of your head

EVERY MINUTE OF EVERYDAY. 

 Where you turn your head things start to grow --
attention starts to be paid.  

 A  CEO who noticed an ice spot at the entrance and mentioned it

only to have an expensive heated floor installed the next day.  

 Or the Retail ops exec who obsessed about bananas on the shelf

and there were thousands of dollars of shrink in bananas 

that no-one cold figure out --
until this exec left.

When you ask a question tell why.

 If not, you will have people talking about the rationale

and making up delicious stories --

not knowing just how boring you can be.