Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Cleaning up when things get messy . . .

If you are acting on and inside of the realm of leadership than you are bound to make a "mess" from time to time. And I would propose that if you are not making any messes you are not leading - you are carefully managing something - aka keeping things from going out of imaginary and real boundaries.

So when you do find yourself with an intended, and sometimes not intended, mess you are obliged to clean it up as best as you can.

Cleaning up a mess is simple - simple but not necessarily easy - cleaning up a mess calls on you to be deeply rooted in your purpose or the organizations purpose.

Without an unwavering commitment to a purpose bigger than yourself or the "day to day" noise in an organization you will be thrown to drifting with the tide, and then unable to clean up the mess you made on behalf of realizing the potential of someone or something.

So here is the simple guide or formula:

Step up and own the mess.

Articulate what you were acting on behalf of.

Acknowledge how something happened that was inconsistent with your commitment. 

Do not assume you understand why others did not appear to be acting consistent with your commitment - ask for input.

Collaborate on a resolution that everyone can align on.

When all else fails - be authentic. But that is a bigger conversation for another time.

Bob Being Bob


No comments: