Wednesday, June 30, 2010

More on Control

I wrote a post regarding the propensity of managers to change schedules and do other little things to feel like they are in control of their demading environments. Another theme in control is power. Those of us in managerial roles feel the pressure of authority and realize that there enjoyable benefits and pitfalls to avoid. In the case of those without some level of authority, there is still an interest in control. Some manifest their need at work. We have all met the long term admin that functions as a gatekeeper worthy of keeping the keys to heaven from all comers. Their boss has no idea the subversive evil they wreak on anyone they don't like. My personal favorite is the hourly employee that comes up to a manager 3 layers up, demands their number and announces that they know a VP as their first introduction. In very short order, you find out that this person should have been gone long ago, but apparently her bravado and threats have worked on her bosses. She struts around with her self important belief that knowing someone makes her powerful. The last example is the employee that violates policy multiple times, but the boss is more passive than aggressive. They put a lot of notes in a folder, and the employee cries fowl to get control over their employee file/corporate identity. They win and get a taste of power. Now the fun begins, they decide there is free reign on violating policy, but the company is nervous. There are a few more violations than the usual progression before the inevitable job loss. Rarely does the owner of this type of control stop short of ending their employment relationship for cause. Regardless of the control tactic, these are destructive behaviors that negatively effect business. Okay, you are probably already thinking of how to better manager each of these folks and others. Just like most things in business, this isn't rocket science. Pay attention to what the people working for you are doing. Assistants are awesome, but they are not you. Don't let them make decisions for you. Next, educate the managers that work for you and expect them to handle accountability correctly. This prevents the power grab from employees with actual or perceived connections or those that find the managers weakness to exploit it. Rehabilitation for the employees that have already tasted negative control is tricky. Be ready to hold them formally accountable and sever ties if needed.

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Supreme Court Roundup

The Supreme Court has found a place in the spotlight lately. I'm fond of the decision regarding gun ownership in Chicago, but the Kagan hearings have a great "goat rodeo" feel. Let's talk guns for a few minutes. It is a shame that the group that is responsible for enforcing Constitutional law could only manage a 5-4 decision supporting the 2nd amendment. Even better is the reasoning for the decision, besides being a scintillating 26 page bathroom read. Of all things, it turns out that the Freedman's rights affirmed in writing after the Civil War specifically mentioned their right to keep and bear arms to protect themselves from individuals desiring to propagate slavery by force. Based on the demographic of Illinois, this should play well with the voters. Of course the government of the great state of Illinois, is already looking for ways to make the cost prohibitive and restrict their citizenry to single-shot muskets and revolvers. Didn't our forefathers create the second amendment to prevent our government from out-gunning us in a dispute? Balance of powers does not just cover the three branches of government, but also our human rights as individual members of this democratic republic. Our founding fathers charged us with eternal vigilance in protecting this noble enterprise of government of the people, by the people and for the people. Instead, the vast and varied people of the United States of America have chosen to pursue their rugged individualism right into the entitlement hand out line, trading their personal freedoms and those of their neighbors for tax breaks, free insurance and vengeance against the corporations that pay their wages. Thanks to our Judiciary for managing to find 5 people that can read some portion of the Constitution and subsequent guidance regarding how to use it. The people of Chicago are eager to purchase their carbines and snubnose .38s.

Friday, June 25, 2010

The Master

I saw a landscape painted of a glorious ocean view
Sunshine over crystal waters, bright on morning dew
The artist for years had labored to create for me this hour
But I have seen the master as he tenderly paints the flower
Penciling snowflakes in season
Chalking the dawn's pastel
Yes, I have seen the master, hands outstretched to man
Crying over his children, weeping over lands

Marti Nelson
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Commutes by Title

Let's explore one more fallacy of moving up in our careers. It is the idea that better titles give more control over time. As a facility manager there are some late nights, but you sleep in your own bed with the same commute every day. You travel very rarely. As a distict manager, you get a car. That is because you could have upwards of 1/2 a days commute and may sometimes have to forego sleeping at home. The regional manager gets a car, blackberry, and laptop. Standard commute is over two hours with a mandatory stay over "option" to allow thorough butt kickings based on the condition of your faciliities. Please note, some commutes increase due to non-existent relo packages in a bad economy or the wretched stubborness of the manager regarding relocation. Then there are the directors. The commutes extend as far as mainland China. One of my best friends has a Midwest to Poland, then Wales commute for the next two weeks. Wow, I bet Poland is pretty this time of the year! That is quintessential description of career progression. No cushy, home by 5:15pm days. It is no wonder that these folks occasionally work from home. Do all of those field managers a favor and quit whining about their home office days. It is probably the first time they sat on their own couch in a month.
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Monday, June 21, 2010

Texting Encouraged

Last week I enjoyed a great surprise. My first week at a new job that involved valuable high level information and time to get to know new colleagues. Having been in high volume, viciously cost conscious retail jobs, I really wasn't sure what would be allowed. Amazingly, we received our consumer electronics alotment during our visit, as well. One of my colleagues sent me a text and my stomach tightened. I was sure that there would be some prohibition on spending money to text. Once again, I was totally surprised. The boss encourages texting. Cool. Now, I can keep up with my HR colleagues and send quick warnings to the operators when the execs show up. By the end of the week, I connected with a member of the talent acquisition team that uses Linked In and Twitter to develop our employment brand. It means a lot to work for a company that allows more freedom in media and expression. Professionalism is expected and you get a lot more ways to demonstrate it.

Sunday, June 20, 2010

Father's Day - Gifts from another Generation

Everyone is talking about it in the blogs and on the social sites. My Dad is a good guy and worked really hard to take care of us and our Mom. He expected the truth, told the truth, and taught us to look for the truth. He even taught us that truth is subjective and requires more than our internal compass to be divined. I don't think Dad set out to be sage or impart any great wisdom. He emphasized practicality and a friendly respect for others, no matter what they looked like or where they lived. The more I think about Dad, the more I see the beauty of what I learned from him. I also become more disappointed in my failure to better conform to it. I see greater benefit in a simpler approach and the protection it provides. Happy Father's Day to the Dad's out there and to the memories of Dad's that make their children better.

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Everything Old is New Again

These are interesting times. People are actually saving up to buy things. They talk about growing gardens, putting up preserves and even hunting to get back to simpler days and cheaper living. Corporate America continues to evolve and tout their "changes". Anyone remember hearing about an ancient dude named Aristotle? He was a philosopher, teacher and writer in ancient Greece. Aristotle wrote a book on Ethics way before Shakespeare wrote plays on violating them. It is a shame that companies are obligated to write a code of ethics that must be signed and updated regularly. It seems that the return to traditional values and behaviors has left something behind, but then again Ethics might just be all Greek to them.

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Slow Down

A few years ago as a new hire, I came into training like gang busters. The pace was too slow, and my approach was strong. I took over my schedule and moved into my role. It is interesting to see folks muscle a process that is already accelerated. They strong arms systems, dig for answers ahead of agenda because they want it now, and expect to control by brute force. This time I am analyzing the process, identifying the players and roles, and determining when to seek the pieces to the puzzle. It is a strategy game, not a foot race. The deadlines are set, but a little time with the stakeholders at implementation builds a better base. Happy learning!
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Monday, June 14, 2010

Short Sheeting and other Hotel fashions

I have recently been in more hotels than usual and even the cruise ships short sheet the beds. What happened to making a nice cozy bed that I can crawl into after a long day. Who wants to play hide-and-seek with their bedding every night? Last I knew this was not on the list of the most fun things to do in bed. While the reason this trick stumps me, I am fond of some of the other perqs. There is the free glass of wine, snacks, omellettes and personal coffee pots. These are a bonus that might offset overcoming the daily childish sheet prank. I'll work to remain positive. Happy travels!
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Saturday, June 12, 2010

Giving Your Best Effort

Yesterday was my last day at the super busy mega retail job. Like most companies, I was set to be released my first work day after I gave notice. In the end, I asked to stay to make sure everything was right. There is a big difference between a regular work week and making your last impression on a business. I ended up staying over a 1/2 hour to get something set for next week. I was already locked out of the systems, but I got lucky and one of the assistants up the food chain was there. I'm excited about the new job that starts Monday with a nicely structured orientation. However, this is the first time that I miss my coworkers. Working with great people means a lot, but I slowly unravel without challenge and that job was teed up for mental atrophy. The new adventure begins tomorrow with the flight to corp for training. I'll keep you posted.

Thursday, June 10, 2010

Tidal Movement

The sound of the tides can be soothing. The word beach invokes thoughts of fun in the sun. Water ebbs and flows purportedly based on the moon's gravity. Pulled in and out by unseen forces seeking rest where it is allowed. We expect this as part of the daily routine on the water. Until the day the water pulls back fast and far. We look to see what happened to the routine and it comes back to us in a giant, violent wave with after shocks like an earthquake. A massive thundering wave pounding over us. It could be illness, job loss, family strife... regardless, some drown and others wish they had. The effects of a shift in a larger body overrides the calm ebb and flow brought by the moon. The moon influences and guides, avoiding the devastation of more powerful forces. When the tidal wave comes, find your moon and equalize the tides.

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Nuclear Proliferation

Okay, that is just one of many phrases that I heard on the news as a child. We had cold wars, recessions, and Reaganomics. I am wondering how many people still know what an ICBM is. Regardless, people constantly strive to make sense of what is happening around them. They combine words and phrases whose meanings best identify to them what they experience. Everything from pandemic to ginormous, we are getting redonkulous with our verbiage. Whatever happened to Keep It Simple Stupid, yes, I mean stupid. Doesn't epidemic say enough about how pervasive the disease has become? Isn't gigantic big enough on it's own and isn't ridiculous self-explanatory? Since my first writing class, the lesson was to be concise. Provide just enough imagery to appeal and fit the words to the audience. There was not a class on creating your own words, in lieu or growing one's vocabulary to find the expression you need. Now that we go granular and maybe even pixelated, the fate of the English language must be nuclear until they go subatomic on that. Here's to nuclear proliferation.

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Confidence and the Opinion Trap

Those who know me will clearly say that I am bold and act with unadulterated confidence. Leadership requires confidence in the face of adversity. The one who steps forward, when volunteers are called is the person of legend. Don't be fooled. These folks have concerns. They look back at a snap decision and wonder what it did to their image. They do this in silence, because nothing sucks the wind out of your leadership image quicker than agonizing over others' opinions to colleagues. It is tough to quit worrying about what others are thinking without becoming inconsiderate. The fine line between leader and asshole. There are important times to be human and times to ignore opinions. Good times to be human - when you are wrong, when someone is suffering, when the culture requires. Good times to ignore opinions - when immediate action is needed, when the team is off track, when factions have stopped the process. In the end, no matter how much you agree with the advice, overcoming our urge to worry about what others think is a big mountain to climb. Buck up buttercup. Everyone makes mistakes. Keep it human and stay bold!

Monday, June 7, 2010

Saying Goodbye

For the first time in my career, I had a hard time deciding to change companies. I really like the people I work with and they have been kind and patient with me. The new company has interesting challenges and a strong, positive team. I'm excited to take a new perspective on work and partnerships to this job. The new outlook comes from the great people in my current job. So, why am I leaving? Great people can't replace a lack of faith in the direction of the business and the philosophical veneer that we are expected to propogate. I move to my next opportunity with gratitude I was invited to participate and even greater gratitude for my current colleagues. Wish me luck.

Sunday, June 6, 2010

I'm Back

Vacation was great and I'm sitting in a comfy hotel waiting to fly home. Here are a couple of the funny things we heard on vacation.
1. When you're on a bus tour, what's the difference between a tourist and a hitchhiker? 2 minutes
2. In Alaska there are 10 men for every woman . They say that for the ladies the odds are good, but the goods are odd.

More to come on lessons learned from a place that has rainforests on the same mountains as glaciers.
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

 
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People Platform HR by Marti Nelson is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.