Getting out of your own way
Tuesday, June 29, 2004
I'm thrilled about a meeting that I have with a client next month. She is the director of a self-contained group that holds a great deal of responsibility for a key strategic piece in her company. The reason I am so thrilled about meeting and working with this director and her team is because she is willing to ask the hard questions. And once she gets them on the table, she's willing to confront them -- with openness, with honesty, and with humility.
It's a simple core challenge -- I might even call it a personal and professional value of hers -- that is at the root of all of her actions and behaviors.
One of the questions that I try living with, both for myself and for those with whom I work, is What is it that enables her to ask those hard questions and bravely face the answers? Likewise, what is it for people that prevents them from doing the same?
Now, let's be clear. I'm not a clinical psychologist, nor am I on this planet to judge anyone. But I am here to be curious.
I can only answer the part of this question that I know. This particular director is driven to succeed, and going so with everyone else's success guaranteed. She will not lay the blame for X or Y failing at the feet of some other (potentially deserving) person. She will not pretend that a certain critical factor is out of her control, therefore sabotaging success. She will not let herself, nor any member of her team, avoid responsibility or accountability.
It's a hard way to go through the business world. Has she been burned in the past? Absolutely! There are people who do not share her same conviction to build success for herself by building success for all. Yet, she remains standing, with successes lining the road of her past.
I'm just thrilled about this meeting.
It's a simple core challenge -- I might even call it a personal and professional value of hers -- that is at the root of all of her actions and behaviors.
One of the questions that I try living with, both for myself and for those with whom I work, is What is it that enables her to ask those hard questions and bravely face the answers? Likewise, what is it for people that prevents them from doing the same?
Now, let's be clear. I'm not a clinical psychologist, nor am I on this planet to judge anyone. But I am here to be curious.
I can only answer the part of this question that I know. This particular director is driven to succeed, and going so with everyone else's success guaranteed. She will not lay the blame for X or Y failing at the feet of some other (potentially deserving) person. She will not pretend that a certain critical factor is out of her control, therefore sabotaging success. She will not let herself, nor any member of her team, avoid responsibility or accountability.
It's a hard way to go through the business world. Has she been burned in the past? Absolutely! There are people who do not share her same conviction to build success for herself by building success for all. Yet, she remains standing, with successes lining the road of her past.
I'm just thrilled about this meeting.
