Take the Time to do Your Job!

Whether we recognize it or not we are all working within the “transformation economy”, so named for the increasing level of complexity and change that we find ourselves immersed in almost daily. The transformation economy is causing all of us to reevaluate our businesses and organizations in search of maintaining a competitive edge, if only temporarily. In this hectic, fast paced, environment leadership can no longer afford to sit back and build for comfort and stability—as those conditions rarely now ever exist. What truly needs to happen, in order to remain competitive, is to build for continuous change and develop teams that will understand and embrace that change as a normal function of day to day operations. 

So how do we make this happen?

In the recently released book, “Discovering Execution”, Kierson and Tomlinson explore the topic of relationships at work and their purpose within the organization. Their contention is accurate in that they believe “the true purpose of relationships at work is to see to the overall success of the enterprise”. And so, the question becomes “how do we go about our relationships in a way that effectively deals with change, positively impacts the business and gets all of us the results we are looking for”—especially in the face of increased complexity, competition and endless instability and change?  

Here are three takeaways that support the concept of “relationships at work” and how they can dramatically improve the behaviors of your team. the business outcomes you seek and your ability to navigate change;

1)   If you have people on your team that cannot bring themselves to be a part of “what makes the business work”, then you have decisions to make around whether or not they are the best people to help carry out your mission, vision and strategic objectives. We don’t have to love each other at work but, when it comes to business outcomes, face the fact that we all benefit when the company, organization or department succeeds.

2)   Everyone enjoys being part of a winning team and that includes being personally involved and contributing directly to the success.  If you aren’t creating the environment and opportunity for individual success (especially as it relates to goals and objectives), you’re contributing to the alienation of the team and hurting relationships.

3)   Take the time to do your job. Kierson and Tomlinson make this great point as well, “if you don’t have the time to deal with, get involved with and support your people” — “then you don’t have the time to do your job”. 

We all inherently want to be part of something and be successful at it. It is innate and makes a difference in our lives.  Many, many people invest a lot in their jobs and most do it regardless of outcomes—this is called commitment and your job as a manager, leader, a coach or the big boss is to tend to those relationships that help you create the best operating conditions that will pave the way for achievement. If you are in one of these positions you are in a place where you can get more out of that commitment! Now, let’s get busy facilitating those relationships!  

Monte Pedersen is the Principal of the CDA Group, an independent training and coaching firm that specializes in working with small to middle sized businesses and organizations on the achievement of their annual strategic initiatives. 

Find out more by visiting; www.clarifydeployachieve.com