Return on Life: In Difficult Times, Choose to Lead

I've been reading lately about workplace negativity. Given our current economic climate, workplace negativity is on the rise and it costs companies millions each year in productivity. One book in particular focuses on how to build a workplace with high morale ("Building a High Morale Workplace" by Anne Bruce). The book includes a discussion of the two types of managers that emerge in a crisis: those that get stuck in the crisis, unable to rebound from it, and those who rise above it all, refusing to be defeated.

Clearly, the managers who rise above help everyone around them move through the crisis more quickly. They do it by being well prepared, knowing how to mobilize help quickly, and by deliberately drawing on the passion, energy and inspiration of those around them. They keep everyone well informed and tell the truth. So by being proactive and focusing on what is going well and what can be done going forward to deal with the situation, rather than dwelling on what has gone wrong, they help everyone become more productive again much more quickly.

What I realized as I read this is that it is not just the manager (or other official leader) who can take on this role. Even if you are not the official leader of a team dealing with difficult times, you can be an "unofficial" leader by adopting the same attitudes of proactivity and looking toward the future. In this difficult economic time, the stress and strain of lost jobs, increased work load due to reductions in staff, and limited access to credit, focus on being part of the solution. Be sure you don't get stuck in the worry and negativity, but focus your time and attention on what IS good (and there's a LOT that is), and what can be done to deal with the problem areas.

You'll be amazed at how your mood lifts, and the effect it has on everyone around you - at work AND at home!

Return on Life: Play hooky without the guilt!

I am a huge proponent of planning your time. Every week, spend an hour planning strategically and tactically for the week ahead. Every day, spend a few minutes making tactical adjustments. Then, to increase your return on life, play hooky occasionally!

One of my three brothers, the one who lives about a 4 hour drive away, called late Wednesday evening. Thursday was a day off for him, and he needed to get out of town. The Pittsburgh Pirates were playing at home that day, so he called to check the weather, considering a day-trip to see the game. As I was checking on the weather, I began thinking "I only have one meeting and it's in the morning. I could go with him!" So I did. We had a great day: the weather was beautiful, we got free t-shirts, and we thoroughly enjoyed each other's company. Pirates lost, but I didn't expect perfection from the day.

But here's the key to playing hooky without regrets: Before I made the decision to take off and "play" on Thursday, I looked at what I was supposed to be getting done that day and decided when I was going to do it instead. I didn't just leave to it to chance that I could absorb it somewhere along the way. Given some current constraints on my schedule, a good chunk of it will need to get done this Sunday. But that's perfectly ok. It's a perfectly acceptable tradeoff for spending time with my brother, which happens to infrequently. And it was great to do it without feeling guilty about the work I wasn't getting done.

So, plan your time carefully, allow yourself some spontaneity without guilt, and still stay on track for your goals!