Pull Together or Pull Apart!
04/06/04
Bill George, Sr. Vice President & General Counsel for Comfort Systems USA, made an intriguing observation at a recent corporate event: "In rough times, people either pull together or pull apart."
Change brings with it more than its share of rough times for organizations. Changes can pull people together in a common cause, or they can polarize teams into factions who major in fault-finding and getting even. You've probably experienced both outcomes. Good leaders set the stage for positive change by delivering on the promise of no surprises, encouraging early input and planning by key stakeholders and inviting early problem solving when challenges occur. The best leaders want commitment rather than compliance; they know how to sell the team on inventing a desirable future that is more important than holding on to a valued but all too comfortable past. They avoid the blame game and major in the solution business. The great leaders are ready to take most of the blame for setbacks and willing to applaud their people when success is achieved. If you have people pulling apart in your organization's tough times, do what you can this week to bring people together by helping them make a difference for the organization. Rest assured, they will either build a common bond by achieving positive results, or they will find a common cause in "hating" you for making them work together! Either way, they may start pulling together instead of pulling further apart.
A PAULSON QUOTE OF THE WEEK
"The best leaders want commitment rather than compliance; they know how to sell the team on inventing a desirable future that is more important than holding on to a valued but all too comfortable past." --Terry Paulson, Ph.D., CSP, CPAE
MONDAY'S MIRTHFUL MOMENT
Today’s mirth comes from Cece via Dr. Ann Weeks and her WEEKS OF FUN # 400. Enjoy as Cece shares new ”Breakthrough” Medications:
Histalavista: Say bye-bye to those allergies.
Milk of Amnesia: Infant formula to help forget birth trauma.
Non-Interferon: Black market drug often slipped to unsuspecting in-laws.
Testsoteroni: A hormonal supplement eaten as pasta.
Aestheominophen: You don't feel any better, but you look fabulous.
Elmer's Aspirin: It's a pill that is half aspirin and half glue for people who have splitting headaches.
When you keep your eyes open for mirth, you just may find it! Hope this kicks off your morning and helps get your mood adjusted for the week. Now, get busy MAKING CHANGE WORK and have some fun along the way!...