Perception vs. Reality
Posted by emmett in Leadership Development on February 7th, 2009
Once when in the employ of a non-profit social service agency (touchy-feely type of place) I was called into the office of a vice president. He asked me to be seated and struck up a conversation concerning a recent meeting in which I had stated some strong opinions about the subject up for discussion. He assured me that my comments, while strong were nothing inappropriate for the type of meeting it was. However, feedback he received made it clear that some folks in the meeting were “uncomfortable” with my remarks and the conviction with which they were made. I reminded him that I had remained silent until directly asked and then asked him if what I said was wrong or off the mark in some way. His reply was “no, but” I had still made them feel uncomfortable.
Then he turned the topic of conversation to a complaint that had been made about me to the COO by another Director who was a long time friend of the COO. I had not given into a request by this Director to make use of one of my staff member whenever this Director felt the need to use her. In essence I had not given subjugated one of my human capital resources to the whims of her felt needs. Now I will be the first to tell you that I can be blunt at times. When asked my opinion I will give it in a forthright manner that will not always make you feel good. Also, I will readily admit to wanting to have a good deal to say about the resources given to me, especially when someone tries to appropriate them for their use without really consulting me.
The vice president then said these words “ I don’t disagree with what you said in the meeting and I know that the other Director is a bit of a whiner but she is friends with the COO but Emmett, you’re being perceived as uncooperative. You’re getting a reputation for …” Of course I was struck by these words. Me? Uncooperative? Me? I assured him that it was not my intent to be uncooperative and then he said “but you’re being perceived that way and you know that perception is reality, it’s the perception that counts”.
I was a bit non-plused. As I started to offer a reply he cut me off and said “You should be thankful that I’m telling you this so that you are aware of how you are being perceived.” At that point I said nothing else. I knew that it would have been futile. Thanking him for taking the time to share this with me I turned and left.
You may have heard that old maxim before or you may have been told at one point in your career that “It’s perception that counts” or you may have heard it said or even been told “Perception is reality”. You may have had it used on you in a feedback meeting similar to mine. You may have heard it in a more positive vein. I don’t know if you agree with the sentiments of those words. You may buy into the philosophy behind those words. A philosophy that really screams “We prefer style over substance”. Read the rest of this entry »
Everyone’s Number One Responsibility
Posted by emmett in Career Development on February 6th, 2009
Whenever dealing with clients who come to me for career development coaching I make sure that early on in the discussion we cover the number one responsibility of every employee.
The question is usually proffered in this way “So, what do you think your number one job responsibility is? Or “What is the number one responsibility of every employee not matter what their job?” After a few moments of fumbling for the answer, or blank stares and puzzled looks they will usually venture a guess or two such as “customer service”; “do what they hired me to do”; “do my job”. After they make the attempt to answer I will let them off the hook and tell them. “Your number one job, no matter where you are in the company, no matter what your job description is to make the boss look good.”
Your Manager as the Gatekeeper to Your Career
Posted by emmett in Career Development on February 6th, 2009
Manager as Gatekeeper
Picture this. You are on your career journey through the workplace. You wander wearily along that road in a strange land. It’s a bleak land of twilight with only occasional rays of sunshine breaking through the clouds that beset your journey. It is a land inhabited by strange and sometime fearsome creatures that plague your journey and seek to impede your progress. But you press on with your travels along that road strangely compelled by the annoying gnawing in your gut and that buzzing about your head from those blood sucking insects trying to drain you of your vital juices. The going is rough and you are making slow but sure progress when you come across a huge iron gate that blocks the path. On the other side of the gate is the land of your new career. A land of plenty where the grass appears greener, the sky bluer, the air sweeter, and the inhabitants a wait to greet you welcome you to your new home. At that gate is the gatekeeper. There is something about the keeper that seems familiar but you can’t quite place it. As you draw closer the image of the keeper becomes clearer, you focus harder on their personage and to your surprise looks remarkably like your manager. A sudden rush of realization washes over you and you are certain that the keeper is your manager.
There the gatekeeper stands before you, with the keys to the gate in their hand, the power to grant you entrance in to the land beyond the gate. Will the gatekeeper open the gate for you ushering you through the gate to that new land of opportunity? You present your qualifications, you argue for your skills and past service, you make the case for entry skillfully but it seems to have little effect on the gatekeeper. Will the keeper be moved to open the gate or will the keeper stand fast ignoring your pleas for entrance … Your past “merits” mean little at this point. The decision now entirely depends on your past treatment of the gatekeeper.
OK. Maybe my little tale is a bit melodramatic, but the truth of the matter is your manager is the gatekeeper to you career. Read on.