by Exponential Squared | May 27, 2015 | Marketing
There are many ways to analyze a problem, but the best way is no particular “way” at all. What I mean is that there are many ways to view a problem in business, and so one way is to initially remain open to the possibility that your first inclination is wrong.
In theory, it sounds easy. Sure, “I may be wrong here,” you say to yourself. In practice, though, are you sure that is how you are coming off to others?
Let’s say you are right about a particular issue, and so the question then becomes which lens do you look through to look for a solution? Do you analyze the situation with a Human Resource perspective? Management? What sort of politics are involved? How is your business set up? Is it egalitarian? Hierarchical?
These are just some of the questions you can ask yourself as you attempt to work through problems or develop a strategy. In asking yourself these questions and seeing problems from different angles, you will be better in a better position to fully appreciate all the implications from your decision rather than just one or two.
There really is no right way to solve a problem, but there are better ways, and it starts with accepting you in fact may be wrong. If you are able to admit such a thing to others, including management and/or your peers, you will earn something money simply cannot buy—respect. And if you earn the respect of others, you will not only be more effective at work, but happier in life.
by Exponential Squared | May 24, 2015 | Marketing
Despite how we feel about whatever it is someone is saying to us, we should refrain from “rolling our eyes” inside our own heads, because invariably it leads to outward behavioral cures that generally show up in our faces. It seems obvious, but I have seen it time and time again throughout my work life. I see someone is in disagreement with what I am saying based on how they look at me, the way they tilt their head, or otherwise hold their entire body.
Unfortunately, I have not even finished my statement, and I have been made to feel somewhat dismissed. Frankly, we should make a concerted effort to remain as open as possible to ideas suggested by others. Consider it, reflect on it in private, and then return to the individual(s) and respond.
If we are unable to remain open to others’ suggestions in the moment in which they are explaining them, we are apt to tip our cap so to speak by allowing our feelings to exit our brains and enter our facial and other related muscles. Frankly, it is entirely disheartening, and I see it all too often.
If you are a manager and you allow such feelings to manifest, you are inadvertently dis-empowering the individuals you are ostensibly in charge of supporting–both emotionally and from a practical, skill-building perspective. If you are listening to your manager and unfortunately “let the cat out of the bag,” you have effectively told him/her you are not ready to implement whatever it is they are asking (or telling) you to do.
Be mindful of your feelings and take the time to process things before responding. Behaviors start in your head, so make the effort to keep them there until you have a chance to reflect on it in private at such time you can frown or shake your head all you want. It is not an easy thing to do, but this is a technique you can implement in your everyday work life–and the results will be immediate to yourself and those around you.
