"Don't do" #5 is:DON'T WORK WITH (OR EMPLOY) ENERGY SAPPERS
This is 'stolen' from Clive Woodward.
From time to time we all work with energy sappers/zappers and don't we just know it! They seem to squeeze every last ounce of passion and excitement out of any project. Their mantra is some permutation of:
"Yes but..."
"If only..."
"They won't/can't'/haven't/shouldn't/couldn't..."
"Well, if that's what you want to do..."
"I don't really see the point of..."
"Yes but..."
"If only..."
"They won't/can't'/haven't/shouldn't/couldn't..."
"Well, if that's what you want to do..."
"I don't really see the point of..."
And don't the energy sappers just love the "they" word. "They did this..", "They do that..."
Oh how I hate these people! They become high-maintenance (and usually low-profit) because of the damage they do to your own immune system. Their stress and negativity-dumping behaviour sucks the very lifeblood out of your most precious asset - your enthusiasm.
Oh how I hate these people! They become high-maintenance (and usually low-profit) because of the damage they do to your own immune system. Their stress and negativity-dumping behaviour sucks the very lifeblood out of your most precious asset - your enthusiasm.
Replace all energy sappers with energisers - it is as simple as that!
RELEVANT LINKS
Clive Woodward - the Winning book
No more 'To Do' lists #4 - blog entry
No more 'To Do' lists #3 - blog entry
No more 'To Do' lists #2 - blog entry
No more 'To Do' lists #1 - blog entry
Clive Woodward - the Winning book
No more 'To Do' lists #4 - blog entry
No more 'To Do' lists #3 - blog entry
No more 'To Do' lists #2 - blog entry
No more 'To Do' lists #1 - blog entry
6 comments:
Wow! You must've had a really bad week to write (or borrow) this one!
Yes, it's clearly better to have no contrasting advice or commentary whatsoever.
In fact, clearly better all around to be an American, with only smiles, postitve affirmations etc. That way, when your company is crumbling because of a lack of attention to detail, you can walk away and safely bullshit yourself and your employees into thinking you "sought sound advice, and tried everything!"
If you can't withstand the naysayers, then there's probably something wrong with your business, or life.....
Ivan
Maybe I need to be a little clearer. I have no problem with debate/discussion/disagreement. In fact you should you should argue and then reach an agreed way forward.
My problem is with people who are always negative/miserable/unhappy and how their constant 'doom and gloom' grumpiness can infect a whole room in a matter of moments.
I trust this makes sense.
RC
Robert,
Thanks for the clarity.
However, and as to my last point, if you have a "problem" with people who are "negative/miserable/
unhappy" then you are not conveying the right sort of leadership qualities.
The leader truly sets the tone for the group, the day, and its events, even when it seems most difficult.
The point is to make sure that you regularly check your own state, then remember, as a leader, to take responsibility for others states.
This can seem an impossible task, if you are not well practiced, but, with a little effort, you'll reap great rewards.
There's an old saying that you can't change the world, but you can definitely change how you choose to respond to it.
If you choose to respond to those who seem miserable and negative with more negativity, (especially customers) what does that make you? Part of the problem or the solution? Also, as most people these days are preoccuppied with woes, what sort of life is it to be so instantly affected by such people? You may as well take on their bills and families, as this is virtually the case if you reflect their mood...
The ability to walk in to the workplace with a smile and an upbeat nature every day is surely one of the pivotal essenses to the success of the organisation. The job of the leader is to inspire and spread light, not throw the toys out of the pram because someone else is in pain.
If you someone can't do, or be bothered to do this, then I'd have to question whether they should be in business at all, or whether the business is now running them, instead of vice versa. Perhaps it's even an indication of someone working too much in the business, instead of on the business?
I appreciate your comments, trust this won't offend, and also trust that this makes sense. I'm also interested in your thoughts, as always.
Regards,
Ivan
Yep - good points... and not offended.
Don't focus too much on the negative side of my comments... I am not being specific about an individual but rather generalising about a certain type of person (one in twenty?) that I find difficult to work with.
More significantly, and my real point is that I love working with energisers.
RC
Robert,
Thanks for the clarity.
However, and as to my last point, if you have a "problem" with people who are "negative/miserable/
unhappy" then you are not conveying the right sort of leadership qualities.
The leader truly sets the tone for the group, the day, and its events, even when it seems most difficult.
The point is to make sure that you regularly check your own state, then remember, as a leader, to take responsibility for others states.
This can seem an impossible task, if you are not well practiced, but, with a little effort, you'll reap great rewards.
There's an old saying that you can't change the world, but you can definitely change how you choose to respond to it.
If you choose to respond to those who seem miserable and negative with more negativity, (especially customers) what does that make you? Part of the problem or the solution? Also, as most people these days are preoccuppied with woes, what sort of life is it to be so instantly affected by such people? You may as well take on their bills and families, as this is virtually the case if you reflect their mood...
The ability to walk in to the workplace with a smile and an upbeat nature every day is surely one of the pivotal essenses to the success of the organisation. The job of the leader is to inspire and spread light, not throw the toys out of the pram because someone else is in pain.
If you someone can't do, or be bothered to do this, then I'd have to question whether they should be in business at all, or whether the business is now running them, instead of vice versa. Perhaps it's even an indication of someone working too much in the business, instead of on the business?
I appreciate your comments, trust this won't offend, and also trust that this makes sense. I'm also interested in your thoughts, as always.
Regards,
Ivan
Wow! You must've had a really bad week to write (or borrow) this one!
Yes, it's clearly better to have no contrasting advice or commentary whatsoever.
In fact, clearly better all around to be an American, with only smiles, postitve affirmations etc. That way, when your company is crumbling because of a lack of attention to detail, you can walk away and safely bullshit yourself and your employees into thinking you "sought sound advice, and tried everything!"
If you can't withstand the naysayers, then there's probably something wrong with your business, or life.....
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