What Your Support Means To Me

There is no more demeaning act against other people than to be managed by someone whose authoritarian style intimidates and diminishes a person and their work. It is the very opposite of what it takes to bring out the best in people and increase their loyalty, creativity, and productivity.? On the flip side, those who empower us, give us the confidence and determination needed to succeed.??

Establishing an atmosphere and environment of fear paralyzes people and prohibits them from performing their jobs to the fullest. It creates doubt and anxiety and often results in illness. It is not conducive to building a team that works together. In fact, it isolates, shields, and limits interaction and engagement, which decreases opportunities to create, find new solutions and prosper.??

Why does intimidation have this effect on us? Because we are human. It is my belief that most people want to do a good job and contribute to the good of the whole. People work for a variety of reasons, primarily because they have to. We work to live and pay bills, put food on the table, and raise our children. When you feel that you don’t have a choice or when your choices are limited, it is good to remind yourself that there are always choices. That is creative thinking regardless of the situation.??

Perhaps there isn’t a choice to change where you work for a possible number of valid reasons, but how you process information around you is YOUR choice. What thoughts you let into your brain and how you let them in is your choice. I remember when mergers and acquisitions first started many years ago, and a colleague and friend worked at a major hotel brand in a senior sales position. When I asked her how she was handling all the changes, she said, “Dianne, I go to work, keep my head down and stay focused on my responsibilities. It isn’t my job to figure out how the company will be managed.” Because she eliminated unnecessary speculation, worry, and anxiety, my friend was able to keep her mind free to do her work. I do realize that it’s not always easy, complaining and frustration stifle our thought processes. It is wiser to accept a situation and process it to your own benefit than waste energy in challenging a losing battle.?

We live in an age of professional uncertainty which is evolving day by day. Two generations ago, there was an expression “from cradle to grave,” meaning that you start working for a company when you’re young and you retire with a pension and/or benefits. Long gone are those days for most. As the world shifts once again recouping and reshaping from the effects of the pandemic, I’m beginning to see and sense a trend of wanting to belong to something. Many of the young people I’ve spoken with want to go to an office and be a part of a whole. As “dot.coms” retract their messages and other perks, perhaps the focus will be more on people, on either short or long-term commitments.?

How does this affect your productivity and creative contributions? When I was downsized - twice -? I was emotionally devastated and hard on myself. I kept questioning what I could have done better or differently. Sometimes we are all the victims of a company’s strategy that has nothing to do with us. In my case, I realize looking back that had I not been downsized, I would not have moved on to the next place. It is not a stigma to be unemployed now and when I see someone posting online that they are looking for work, available, or unemployed, I nod my head with approval because that person has the skills, talents, and abilities that someone else needs.??

We all have contributions that are meant to be shared in the workplace. When people are together, magic happens. Your thought brings an idea to me and we brainstorm and tada! A solution is created. This is all done in a supportive environment, free from fear and intimidation. In my book, “What Color is Your Event?”,? I speak about creating an event space that gives people permission to play. This is done by creating a safe and secure environment that encourages interaction and engagement. It is the same for business.??

I do not like that uncertainty in the workplace is accepted. In order for businesses to succeed, communication needs to be at the top of the list. Consistent communication from management - even if there is no new news on any situation - is better than no communication at all. It keeps people motivated, and informed and allows them the freedom to think creatively. I’m interested in hearing people state that they are not going back to an office even if the company requires it. ? I think to myself, “good for you to have a choice or risk losing your job!” Work and life are so intertwined and being in a supportive place that allows us to think creatively and be our best selves is a gift. Some of us are fortunate to find a career, a skill, a trade in which we are able to share our talents and ability and work doesn’t feel like… work.??

Let’s remember the effect we have on other people. Choosing our words, giving direction, and running a company are all based on people and relationships and how they process information. There are so many uncertainties in the world and always will be, but if we can make a difference with those we work with and foster an environment of productivity, loyalty, and creative thinking, we have the ability to change the world and make a difference.

Let’s not confuse structure, order, and discipline with intimidation. Intimidation is for those who don’t have confidence in themselves or have too much confidence in themselves that they don’t see others’ perspectives… or want to.???

Keep your head down, and focus on your work. Remember it only takes one person to support you, trust you and empower you. You can make a difference and that’s important.??