Just Plain Bill

Have you ever worked in a place

where laughter was rare?

There are numerous studies that have confirmed the value of laughter, both to one’s attitude and one’s health.

It has been my misfortune to have worked in two environments over the past 30+ years where laughter was either absent entirely, or not encouraged or celebrated. And, those two examples remain all too clear when reflecting back on what contributions I’ve been able to make in my career.

To some, especially those who are insecure of themselves in a position of authority, laughter or levity suggests a less-than-serious approach to the task at hand…perhaps reflecting to those in higher authority that the job is not being taken “seriously.”

If you happen to be a person who laughs easily, or a person who recognizes the value that laughter can bring in decision making or conflict resolution, then you also recognize that suppression of humor of any sort can stifle creativity and discourage the free-flow of ideas due to the fear of being put down.

It’s probably no coincidence that in all the years in my diverse career, the two environments that did not appreciate laughter included the most insecure micromanagers.

Let’s hear it for a laugh or two or three! After all, it’s only a “job.”

Just Plain Bill

“Why are you always on your cell phone?”

I must admit that I hear this question being asked several times a day, usually when an adult is talking to someone younger or when either a man or woman is talking to his or her partner while the partner is engaged with their cell phone. So I was especially surprised to hear this question being asked by a young lady of her mother, as we were entering the elevator in the building where we all live.

To this question, the mother replied that she was “always” on her phone as she had to make sure her people were on time, and that she didn’t like to waste her time when people were either late or failed to show up at all.

The daughter then replied, “Why don’t you just agree upon a time to meet, and then keep track on your watches?” as she pointed to the place on her wrist where a watch would probably be. But, neither the mother nor the daughter was wearing a watch. (Nor was I.) I’m not sure how this situation was resolved, or if it ever was, as we arrived at my floor first and I exited the elevator.

This interchange struck me as strange for at least a couple of reasons. The first is that the roles seemed to be reversed – the older person attached to her phone and the younger one suggesting an alternative. A second reason was that a time piece – a wristwatch – was seen as a viable alternative to using the phone to schedule a meeting when neither party was wearing a watch.

The digital age is truly a strange one!

On a related note: There’s a prestigious and exclusive men’s club on the west coast, the Bohemian Club, where all the captains of industry and government are invited. The Club has a strict rule against anyone using a cell phone. One long-time member wanted to check the time and, unfortunately, pulled out his cell phone to do so. His forbidden act was discovered and he was promptly removed from the premises and sent home for violating the rule.

(Perhaps the Bohemian Club should provide their members with watches…)

Just Plain Bill

The differences between a Boss and a Leader

I love the quote attributed to Michael Dell, of Dell Computer: “Try not to be the smartest person in the room. And if you are, I suggest you invite smarter people or find a different room.”

                                                              

I remember a similar statement made by the Sales and Marketing Vice-President at Esurance, the last company for which I worked. His name is Tom Capp and he spoke to my Emerging Leader seminar for prospective managers: “Don’t be afraid to hire people who are smarter than you.” 

While working in the area of Quality Circles for Bank of America, I became intrigued by the extensive work of W. Edwards Deming. Deming contributed a wealth of invaluable perspective and theory concerning the management of people in the workforce:

 “The greatest waste … is failure to use the abilities of people…to learn about their frustrations and about the contributions that they are eager to make.”

And

“…most troubles and most possibilities for improvement add up to proportions something like this:

-94% belong to the system (the responsibility of management)

-6% are attributable to special causes.”

(http://demingcollaboration.com/deming-quotes/)

Deming felt the majority of problems in organizations are a result of management overreach, micro-management, or other leadership weaknesses. Deficiencies causing the problems are deeply rooted in management’s guidance methods. 

BOSS                                           LEADER

Drives employees                        Coaches employees

Depends on authority                   Depends on goodwill

Inspires fear                                  Generates enthusiasm

Says “I”                                         Says “we”

Places blame for the breakdown   Fixes the breakdown

Knows how it’s done                     Shows how it’s done

Uses people/Takes credit              Develops people/Gives credit

Commands                                     Asks

Says “Go”                                      Says “Let’s go”             

To be continued, including the impact of micro-management…

Just Plain Bill

Thank you, Marissa Mayer

It’s been over a year since Marissa Mayer, CEO of Yahoo, communicated to the Yahoo workforce that they’d no longer be allowed to work from home, in the interest of building and supporting the “One Yahoo” spirit. Yahoo’s head of Human Resources, Jackie Reses went on to say, "To become the absolute best place to work, communication and collaboration will be important, so we need to be working side-by-side," To that, Mayer added, "That is why it is critical that we are all present in our offices…We need to be One Yahoo!, and that starts with physically being together." (02/25/13)

In the past 12+ months there’s been an avalanche of responses and commentary – on both sides of the issue - and I want to thank Marissa Mayer for bringing to the fore the subject which is critically important to me - collaboration.

In my work as a professional educator, I’m passionate about collaboration and how it can enrich the place of work, and I know from experience it involves more than just the physical presence of professionals; it’s significantly more than just “where” people do their work.

Collaboration does not naturally occur just because employees work in the same locale, the same office, or the same building. Being “physically together…” does not necessarily result in collaboration and a more productive workspace.

It depends on the example set by leaders at all levels of an organization, and I believe the jury is still out if Marissa can make that happen.

What do you think?

Just Plain Bill

Time

A saying I heard long ago fascinates me: “Without memory, time would have no meaning.” Unfortunately, I don’t know the source of this quote but I know it continues to mean something to me after hearing it over 50 years ago.

As I age, I understand that my ability to remember things will fail a little, and I realize any deficit in memory may suggest something more serious than simple forgetfulness.

I caught the end of a recent program on NPR that discussed the groundbreaking work being done on the study of aging at Stanford University; the different perspective on age – and time – relative to one’s age group. It seems that the older we get, the more we tend to look at time in terms of “what’s left.”

Time – does it pass the same for people of different ages? Do we focus on time left as we age, instead of our age and the years that have passed?

Time, age and memory – to me they make up an intriguing trinity. In hockey terms, they’re the “hat trick” of what helps make me human. And I wonder…do I make conscious or unconscious choices concerning what I remember?

I love the song Memory from the musical Cats. Andrew Lloyd Webber’s captivating melody is a masterpiece alone, but the lyrics by Trevor Nunn are a guiding force for me as I focus on the power and influence of memory as I live out my life. Most inspiring for me is the fifth stanza –

“Daylight

I must wait for the sunrise

I must think of a new life

And I mustn’t give in

When the dawn comes

Tonight will be a memory too

And a new day will begin”

I do end each day reflecting on time passed, but devote more time and sentiment into trusting the “new day” that will begin, while continuing my journey to “what’s left!”

Thank you for joining me.