Archive for "Leadership"
Am I Manipulative?
Posted on August 14, 2012 by Ching under Confessions, Leadership.
We had a good leadership seminar/conference/training/meeting today. While I didn’t learn anything earth shattering, our guest speaker (Phillip Van Hooser) pretty much affirmed common sense concepts that we already know but don’t consistently practice (at least I know that I don’t and should), I think these meetings are valuable in that they remind us of the things that we often take for granted. It’s tough to get away when work is extremely hectic and schedules are beyond busy, but having these meetings once a year or so is a nice refresher. Sometimes we need to be reminded of the things that we should be doing. I suppose some people feel more confident about their leadership abilities. I need all the help and reminding that I can get.
Anyway, our speaker today said something that one of my bosses actually disagreed with. Van Hooser said, “You can’t, I can’t, no one can motivate someone to do something that they don’t want to do.” My boss argues that you can. As for me, I agree with Van Hooser’s statement. I felt bad about disagreeing with my boss’ views because I admire him a lot. He is one of the wisest people I know and is an amazing leader. He is pretty much the “Gil” of leadership. When it comes to cars and car maintenance, I ask myself WWGD? When it comes to work stuff, one of my first questions usually is WWTD? It was really difficult for me to have an opposing view but, the more I think about it, the more I realize that I agree with both of them.
Yes, I know that I can’t motivate someone to do something that they don’t want to do. I believe this statement. But, I also believe that you can make someone “want” to do something they otherwise wouldn’t do. The key for me is helping the other person realize that this is what they want. A coworker raised the issue of motivation vs. manipulation. I guess, to many people, convincing someone that they want to do something they didn’t previously want to do requires manipulation. However, I’m envisioning a totally different approach. I see it as helping someone come to the realization that they want to do something by asking them a series of questions. By having a good conversation with them, they’ll come to realize that performing the tasks expected or required by the company will ultimately help them achieve their goals or satisfy their needs. I don’t feel like I’m coercing or manipulating or threatening them into doing something they don’t want to do. SIDE NOTE: If you’ve met me, you know that I’m not assertive so it’s highly unlikely that I would be aggressive with anyone. I’m kind of a softie. Too soft in fact that I felt like I needed to take assertiveness training earlier this year in order for people to take me seriously (end side note). I feel like I’m merely helping the other person understand how our goals are aligned and that it really makes sense for them to do what is asked.
So am I unknowingly manipulating people? That’s quite a revelation. There is a line between motivation and manipulation, the latter being a negative way of getting the results that you desire. I’ve never really thought about it, but I’m now worried that I’m being manipulative without even realizing that I’m doing it. WTH? (File this under #leadershipconundrums.)
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Gripes Go Up
Posted on October 27, 2011 by Ching under Leadership, Movies, Videos.
We got to see this video clip from the movie Saving Private Ryan in our meeting today. I’d never seen that movie before. Brian says it is really good. It’s the first movie that actually made him cry.
Anyway, this is the perfect example of the whole “disagree in private, execute enthusiastically in public” concept that we always learn in leadership classes. You don’t want to be just a “yes” man or woman. It’s important to ask questions and voice your concerns, but there is a time and place to do that. And it’s not in front of your team/subordinates. Like Tom Hanks says in the movie, there is a chain of command. Gripes go up.
After a decision is made, a leader’s role is to present the information in the best possible light. Subordinates can see if the leader doesn’t believe in the decision or isn’t supportive of it, and they won’t be as well. The leader must execute enthusiastically and with confidence and conviction in order to ensure the best chance of success.
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Brian is a Big Deal
Posted on April 15, 2011 by Ching under Leadership.
He had his very own boardroom at National Sales Meeting this week! Woot! He’s hit the big time! Way to go, baby! (P.S. You guys should have seen him in his suit on Tuesday. He looked absolutely fabulous!)
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WTF!…I don’t remember growing up.
Posted on March 24, 2011 by Brian under Family, Leadership, Life, Memes, Moblog.
So I was sitting at work today listening to my Pandora Radio, busting out some reports for a few people when it occurred to me. “When the hell did I become so responsable”.
As the array of old school rap rolled through my headphones it sparked memories of where I was in my life when those songs were popular.
To give you a little insite, I was kind of a looser when I was younger. I hated school and only applied myself when it benifited me in some way. I always did just enough to get by, never seeking recognition for anything that I did, never wanting to get ahead.
I followed this path of existence for many years. Talking various jobs, doing just enough to get by. At one point in my life I was a pretty big stoner, this just made things worse. Now not only did I have no desire to get ahead in life but I had no desire to do much of anything in life. My purpose at that point was to make enough money to get by and get high. Needless to say even through all of this I felt like there was something missing.
It wasn’t until I met my wife that I really began to change. Even in the beginning I was just doing enough. I worked at a bank as an IT admin and helped people get started with online banking. It was nice because I really didn’t have to talk to a lot of people, again doing just enough to get by. Then things, as they always do in life, changed and I had to find a better job. Still, I felt like there was something missing.
So I began work for a prominent celluar company. I started out as a simple rep and picked up on things pretty quick. I learned that I had a knack for technology. Learning what I could I found myself wanting more. My wife encouraged me to try out for a lead position when it became available. She told me that in this position I could teach others what I have learned and in turn, learn what was needed to be a supervisor. Now, I had been in management once before. I ran a video store in town. It was fun but I was afraid of the responsability. The thought of being responssble again was a little frightening. Needless to say after some pushing from my wife I did apply and got a Supervisor position.
I was well on my way to being responsable at this point. I kept this job for some time. I think this is where I truly grew as an individual. I Learned to deal with situations, people and other things that life threw in front of me.
Using this knowledge I sought out a new position, one in cusromer service for a cable provider. It was great because we got free cable. But I also learned about how the sales world worked. Something that I had touched on but never really knew until I worked there.
I then heard of this position from a friend at a local technology company. They built servers for companies like IBM and Sun. I thought “this is my way back to technology”. Luckily I got into the position but soon realized that I was in way over my head. This technology was something I had never done or seen before. But I was determinded to make it work. There it is again, that dammed responsability sneaking into my life. Where did I get that from.
I worked for this company for several years. Unfortunately, it was a contract job and I had to find other work. Luckily for me I found myself working for a German plumbing compay. Here is where I really began to thrive. I started out as an assistant. 6 months into the position my boss quit. Being we were the only two people in the department I feared the worse. However, the VP told me that this just meant that I would be called on to do more now. Again I had that feeling that I was in over my head. I even called my wife crying once asking her “what have I gotten myself into”. My wife gently but firmly told me to suck it up and grow a pair. I did and have never looked back.
I truely believe that every position I held in the past has groomed me for this job. I touch on so much of my previous positions here. Without the bank I would not have the skills to do the reporting I do and understand the data that I provide to the field. Without my technical jobs, I would not have the knowledge to help the company expand its software that helps the sales force stay on top of their customers. Without my management background, I would not have the confidence or knowledge to teach the reps on how to use any of the new features that we provide or to handle situations that arise or to manage my time effectively. Without my sales background, I would not understand the needs of the sales force or the time constraints that they are under. And without my wife, I would not have learned everything that I needed to learn to be successful at this job. She is the one that truly helped me get to where I am today. She is the one that pushes me every day to be better and better. She is the one that I grew up for and became the responsable person that I am today.
Without her, I would still be that under achiever that did just enough to get by.
I love you baby, thank you for all of your support.
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Wichita Metro Chamber of Commerce Dinner
Posted on November 20, 2010 by Ching under Leadership.
I had the privilege of attending the Wichita Metro Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner at Century II on Tuesday night and hearing political analyst Brit Hume speak. It was the first time I’d ever attended the Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner and I rather liked it. I hope my bosses let met attend again next year.
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