12/07/2008
Seriously …
My weeks are getting busier and busier in spite of the statement “It’ll get better after Thanksgiving”. So far no, but there is hope. Middle of May the place I work for will officially move into it’s new digs.
Until then though I am wearing multiple hats: My supervising hat, project-managing hat, moderator hat, work force performance hat, negotiator hat, ambassador hat and if I am lucky on the way to work I might get to wear my favorite Boston Red Sox hat … except I had to throw it out (something about never washing it and it turning brownish instead of maintaining the royal blue … as well as the combination of sitting in my truck during the moist months collecting a new “smell”). Now those hats are just my work hats!
I have easily been putting more than 50-60 hours per week. There is simply more things to do than time allows. Having a deadline, or a target date though makes it bearable. I am looking so forward to the final move, but I have to deal with these little things along the way to prepare for the move.
How do I manage my time/work? Lately it seems like it manages me! I have picked up some helpful hints from a book called “Getting Things Done” and that helps me get some basic ground work for trying to decide what is it that needs to be done with whatever is in my hand at this moment – do it now, later, delegate or toss? Also, the times where I actually plan out my “tomorrows” (instead of respond to my “todays”) are much helpful too. I go into my calendar (what I call the Wizard of Oz) and tell it to reserve some time on this day and that to do the things that need to get done. Then no one else can take that time away (ok, the boss tends to, but at least most of the time I can carve out times).
The other issue I have to deal with is finding the “alone time” (not not me time) to focus on the task at hand as well. In my previous job if I just waited after 6PM, everyone went home and I had the whole floor to my self (sometimes almost the whole building). Or we had laptops assigned to us that had ALL of our work on it, then I can escape at a coffee shop (MY BEST HIDEOUT EVER!). Now though, I can access my email, but it throws me off after a few minutes of crafting emails, so I don’t bother unless it’s short and sweet (hopefully sweet).
What makes the job interesting and fun is the kinds of people that I have noticed. There are some incredibly gifted people that work around (under, above, below, etc.) me. These people I look forward to seeing how they manage through all the changes as well. There are those that don’t handle change well and it has also been interesting seeing them deal with it (or not deal with it). I think the people portion of my job is the most interesting of all my tasks.
Overall, I like the job though, it will be much better as time moves towards the move, and significantly better after the move, then I can take off a few hats and really focus on the developing of the staff to be the best unit that my organization deserves.
It reminds me though of something that believers in Jesus have to deal with.
We get to deal with a lot of responsibilities and things along the way, but what makes it bearable is that Heaven is at the end. We will put up with a lot of stuff (mostly our own stuff), but in the end there is relief and hope.
How do you cope with busyness/constantness of life/work?
4 Comments »
11/30/2008
From this song
Wordle came from http://www.wordle.net/ Images of Wordles are licensed 
No Comments »
11/28/2008
Some pics from the family gathering recently at that little event called Thanksgiving.
It was a good day!
2 Comments »
11/22/2008
We like to dance together on starry nights
No Comments »
11/15/2008
I was just asked (well sort of asked) if I would be willing to give a 45 minute presentation on this subject for a seminar next year.
At first I was thinking “no” … but I have heard from others that they thought I always made the work place fun. I know from a study I did that including appropriate humor (fun) in the workplace actually leads to people staying longer at the job, more productivity and less time off for “illness” (illness as defined by those that decide to call in “sick” when they aren’t).
I thought it would at least be an interesting discussion.
Does fun help or hurt the work environment? Thoughts?
Because I might include some of the answers in the seminar, would you please pass this around for others to chime in? (normally I don’t ask)
6 Comments »
11/10/2008
Today I didn’t get a ton done at work, but I felt like I had a few wins for the team today.
Without sharing too much, they all are a result of listening to the needs of the team.
Listening is a huge skill that can be learned. Even doing little things (micro-communications) will help others know (or at least believe) that you are listening.
Look at the person you are talking to (not staring, because that’s a bit creepy)
Don’t look at your computer, watch, cell phone or others passing by.
Lean in slightly
Don’t interrupt, listen and wait till they are done talking, before you respond back.
When done with the conversation, if you stated you would provide something, write it down and take action as soon as you can.
Those are a few things that I am not needing to think of as much while listening. What does listening do for someone else? It tells them you care. If you follow through … it shows them you care. If you are a leader or just a friend, listening can be a very good thing.
It’s so good, that the Bible even describes it as this “be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry”. Wise then, wise now.
How are you at listening?
No Comments »
11/07/2008
A position of leadership is a tough job to have.
Those who are not at the tippy-top of the organizational structure have at least two “pulls” to deal with.
1) The pull of the organization’s desires (your boss)
2) The pull of the organization’s workers (your employees)
It can be a tight line at times as you have to be able to abide by policies and decisions that are often out of your control … that with … having to enforce these desires upon those you lead. Depending on the length of tenure you have or the longevity of the workers, it could add a complexity that makes leading at the very least … challenging.
I am not a perfect leader by any means, but I have found a few things that I believe have helped me navigate these waters.
- Relate with your employees (it is ok to be friendly and relational with them — appropriately of course. Spend time with them, learn about them).
- Be firm on the rules that have been established (but be wise enough to know when to “flex” on the rules)
- Don’t be afraid to challenge (not many employees are truly wanting to be mediocre, challenging them with truly stretching goals could lead the employee to new areas of strengths and passions)
- Encourage swiftly and truthfully.
What are areas of leadership you can share? What are your thoughts on this?
1 Comment »
