Feb 19 – Are you accommodating too much? Are you feeling as though you are the only one being flexible or considerate of others' needs or concerns? Are you frustrated by an overall lack of accountability or willingness by others to step up to responsibility? Are you feeling pressure to settle for less than what you believe are reasonable expectations? Are you being too accommodating, allowing others to get away with being or doing “less than”?
It is never easy to understand why others are not as conscientious or focused on what is in the best interests of other teammates, the company, their department, or those you are trying to serve. The key is being willing to challenge, encourage, and empower others to do what is best and right. If you just do it for them to make it right or to avoid conflict, there will never be an end to your frustration. When you lead by both example and expectation, you are demonstrating a clear intention to succeed. You are inviting others to follow suit and then lead by their own example.
Take an MM&I Moment to awaken to the key sources of your frustration in others. Consider the possibility that your reaction could be contributing to their lack of action. Consider the possibility that you are allowing others to get away with their less-than-desirable actions by seizing control and taking action to fix what they are not doing. Consider the possibility that you are excusing their lack of responsibility because you can just as easily do it yourself. Consider the possibility that others are not as engaged or passionate about what needs to be done and then ask yourself why. As much as we want others to change, oftentimes the best way to get results that appear to be a change for the better in others is through changing the way in which we interact and engage with these same people. Your best option for getting others to step up could be for you to step back and lift them up in the process.
Wide Awake Quote of the Week
“The possibilities are numerous once we decide to act and not react.” – George Bernard Shaw
Yours in dreaming wide awake,
