All that people stuff!
Did you ever say, or heard someone say to you: “My job would be a dream if it wasn’t for the people in it”? Does this ring a bell? Don’t feel bad (or chuckle), you would not be the first one to say that. Considering everything leaders have to deal with and the responsibilities they carry, to think that the human factor of the business may be the heaviest one, is significant.
I mean seriously? Financial performance, market shares, innovation, earnings per share, competition and they would potentially pick anyone of these over dealing with people?
“Why can’t people just work with the system?” Does this sound familiar? Alas, you can’t run people the way you run systems. A gathering of people normally comes with a need to compromise. It’s just the way it is. If you don’t believe me, take a look at the world around you these days. If you still think that someone can hold a unilateral position anywhere, you may want to reconsider.
To compromise could mean that you need to move away from your position, somewhat. I know what you are thinking. Who knows where that will take you and how long it will take and what you will have to go through to get there? You don’t have time. Besides, you already know what is the right thing to do. Why on earth would you waste an hour listening to someone who is trying to convince you otherwise?
Been there? Or again: “People are unpredictable. How do you prepare to deal with that?” This is a business you are running, not a speaker’s corner! This is true. There is no telling how they will react to what you say and if they are not receptive, then you are left dealing with a mess, trying to find your way out of it. You have no time for that either. If everyone just did their job and checked everything else at the door, there would be no problems.
Exactly: IF they did. But they don’t , do they?
The people stuff, also called the inter relational issues, are complex when we try to understand them. They become a lot simpler when we allow ourselves to experience them. By putting yourself in their shoes instead of your own, a whole world will open up to you and there is no telling what you will find.
Likewise, once you understand that you are responsible for what you say, and not how they react, it becomes a lot easier to deal with the issues.
How you lead yourself, and others, matters.