|
|
Good Intentions Aren't Enough
|
|
“The road to hell is paved with good intentions,” my boss yelled at me over the phone. I don’t remember
what I did to cause her wrath that day years ago. What I do recall is that my journey to understanding the
pitfalls of mere intentions began at this point.
It would be simple for me to use this space to discuss the impact managers have on staff. Dr. Linda Duxbury,
Carleton University professor and Canadian guru on organizational health, would call that woman a “jerk
manager.” However, it is following through on good intentions that I want to talk about.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Who's in Control of My Beliefs
|
|
It was on November 26th, 2009 when I first began to think about my beliefs relating to mental illness. I
like to believe that I am progressive and non-judgemental, but Karen Liberman, Executive Director, Mood
Disorders Association of Ontario (MDAO), raised an interesting point that got me thinking.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
With this Employment Contract I Thee Wed
|
|
Recently I had the honour of being the emcee (master of ceremonies) at a friend’s wedding. Although I am
very familiar with speaking in public, I have never had this role before. I began with some
trepidation—usually I speak in front of strangers and I am very comfortable with that. However, with this
event I was amongst friends and I particularly wanted to do a great job for my friend, Anita. So I was
nervous. But that quickly vanished and I had a blast! It all started with me accidentally introducing myself
as their mistress of the evening! It could only go uphill from there.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Multi-tasking–is it Good for our Psyche?
|
|
I arrived home to the delightful aroma of dinner. My beloved met me at the door with a cheerful greeting
and the welcoming words, “I’m making dinner tonight.” I knew the smile upon my face conveyed my gratitude to
him. I relaxed in my cozy home and watched him move about the kitchen, at which point I reflected upon my
dinner preparations the evening before.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Positive Culture Breeds Success
|
|
I was
saddened when I heard that a landmark store in downtown Kingston, Ontario was closing. S&R Department
Store employs 80 people, is located close to Lake Ontario in a four-storey building built in 1820 with 60,000
square feet of space, and has been in the retail business since 1959.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
What I Think: Taking Notice
|
|
A compliment for work well done, a note of thanks, a well-earned perk—all of these sweeten the work
experience and motivate us to excel. It’s a simple act—paying attention to the good things people do. Workers
thrive on a steady diet of recognition and reward. Top managers know this and are quick to take notice
consistently and publicly of the meritorious contributions of their employees.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
What I Think: Clash of Style
|
|
Sometimes
it seems that we believe that the role of managing people is far more difficult than it needs to be.
Recently, I received confirmation that a management style comprised simply of honesty, positive
reinforcement, mentoring and early intervention is wholly appreciated.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
What I Think: Strengthen Strengths
|
|
The memory is still vivid for me. I walked into my boss’s office for my performance appraisal. I was ready
for the discussion, because I knew I had really performed well. The outcome of my evaluation was not certain
in my eyes, but I was looking forward to the praise and recognition I justly deserved, especially from my
manager who was usually silent in this regard. Instead, I was shocked with how the meeting actually
unfolded.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
What I Think: Showing Genuine Interest
|
|
When I travel, it is always with the hope of “getting away.” But travelling inevitably involves contact
with other people’s workplaces, and so my antennae are attentive to the health of that workplace, and the
working relationship of that management and the staff. That said, my summer holidays were truly awesome–I
witnessed scenery so majestic that I felt greater than life itself. My beloved and I took a cruise up the
Inside Passage from Vancouver to Alaska. The trip was magnificent and the people we met were marvellous.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
What I Think: Different Viewpoints
|
|
I enjoy the summer for lots of reasons, particularly because I make the effort to reconnect with girl
friends and sports. It is always fun–full of stories, lies, and half-truths that are meant to cause laughter
and exaggerated histrionics, which totally clarifies why our families disown us when we’re together.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
What I Think: Let Go
|
|
Jill starts work later than everyone else because she can’t drop off her children to her childcare
provider and still get to work at 8:30 am. Bob, the consummate environmentalist, is usually at work at 8:20
am, except if the bus is early and he misses it, or it runs late. He’s never arrived later than 9:20 am,
though. Patrick has to leave work for a couple of hours at least once a week to assist his elder mother with
her medical appointments.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
What I Think: Share the Road
|
|
It was 5:45 am. I was enjoying my morning pot of herbal tea while reading a book when I heard the
unmistakable sound and I knew that my morning was going to be eventful.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
What I think: No One Belongs in a Box
|
|
When I was growing up there were only two generations as far as I was concerned: the younger generation
and the older generation. That’s it. And this was not that long ago.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
What I Think: Make the Call
|
|
Hiding behind the veil of “busyness” is a transparent
excuse when it comes to returning phone calls. I find that waiting for callbacks or responses to requests is
one of the most frustrating aspects of work. This is especially true if you need the response before you can
proceed with the next component of your work. Are we so busy that basic respect for others is forgotten? I
don’t think so.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
What I Think: Support Each Other
|
|
I was driving behind a vehicle bearing the “Support Our
Troops” message when I began to wonder why we support military workers and not others. I understand that this
campaign is politically rooted with the Canadian presence in Afghanistan. I also understand that some
Canadian soldiers have lost their lives there, and I am saddened about this. Still, the obvious visible
symbolism of supporting a worker in one industry and not another irks me.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
What I Think: Go Easy
|
|
The temperature was hot in the office and the air-conditioning was on. I wish it was the weather that was
causing me concern.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
What I Think: A Leader to Follow
|
|
In my last column about personal growth and how it fits into our workplaces today, I promised to look at
whether the leadership of today is in sync with a more intuitive, spiritual way of being.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
What I Think: The Ripple Effect
|
|
I was at a conference recently and had the pleasure of joining a discussion with a new group of friends.
Although nothing unusual was said, the conversation made me realize how much the human race has grown and
developed as a group.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
What I think: The Art of Letting Go
|
|
One of the most amazing experiences happened to me about three months ago. I continue to feel blessed for
acting out of character. Yes, it is true. A great gift came to me because I was not being me. And I still
laugh at the irony of it all. So I have been trying to figure out what I did right so I can do it some
more.
I have always believed that if you want something to turn out the “right” way, you have to control the
process. It doesn’t matter if I do it, delegate it or hire someone. The bottom line is that I am in
control.
|
|
|
|
Toll Free: 1-877-668-1945