Skip to main content

Should you expose yourself?


Respected Ron was starting his work day from the home office.  Making himself comfortable behind his beautiful mahogany desk, Ron settled into that oversized leather chair while contemplating which task he would jump into first.  He decided to start with taking a look at a handful of contracts awaiting his input.  Suddenly, that all too familiar feeling washed over Ron and he began to fidget in his chair, internally Ron was torn on how he should share his perspectives.  It seemed that he had so many things to consider in this digital age, Ron reminisces for a brief moment on how much simpler business seemed when folks met face to face.  However, at the current pace, there is simply not enough time in the day.  Given the single dimension of computer-based communication, Ron had to consider his approach, here are some of his thoughts:



  • create a dependency | of course, I will spin a web that nobody can escape.  Darn, just then Ron remembered a conversation with his Father years ago.  Ron, said Reliable Rick, Ron's Father, if when you place your finger in the middle of a glass of water, and after pulling your finger out of the water a finger slot is still in the glass, you are irreplaceable.
  • CYA |  you know, those always copying everyone in the company with email, come on.  Also, those who have saved every email from the beginning of time.  What exactly is the desired outcome?  For you to say, "I told you so", really?
  • found out | I have arrived at this elevated position; however, the foundation is a bit shaky.  Possibly a battle-field promotion or you are a great salesperson, selling your talents.  Either way, down deep inside you fear that you should not be in the position and that lack of confidence oozes out when making these types of decisions.
  • judged by few or many | one of the root issues with collaboration is the spotlight which sometimes shines on individuals.  If I only send one person an email with a response, my exposure is contained; however, post a response to a conversation in a public environment, all bets are off.



As Ron reflected on his thoughts he began to see a theme.  Could it be that he was not trusting or worse yet, not trustworthy?  Possibly he was stymied by social mores?  No, those are both too vague, maybe a part of him lacked confidence. His anxiety, and time consuming contemplation of how to share, could be more about how he perceived himself within the organization and how that persona was accepted by others.  Feeling a bit nauseous from his mental merry go round, Ron decided to forget about all of it, and only focus on the bigger picture of what drives the most value to his fellow teammates and the enterprise. 

Labels

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

resilience, do you believe?

Seeking out the closest spot to the door of the office was not a common practice; however, at 07:00 on August 24th, 2022 the temperature was already 96' and 98% humidity.   The building would have a hell of a time keeping up today, rolling black-outs and brown-outs would be inevitable.   It likely won't be an outright equipment shut-down, instead we will have to endure the impending "brown-out" conditions, a slow, low voltage and high amperage stressing of our electrical infrastructure and connected systems. Our deliberate and continuous leverage of Industrial IoT (IIoT) technology and the companion AI prescriptive models have positioned us well. It had to be around the year 2018 when we invested in IIoT.   Heck, most were comparing our endeavors to the "Nest" thermostat, a pioneer (yet very fundamental) entrée into home-based IoT.   Naysayers were laughing that we would never see the benefits; however, our fragile National infrastructure and Mothe...
Post a Comment
Read more

is your "score", you?

Avid Andy begins to wonder if he may be schizophrenic.   Or could it be a sign of true genius when he can see a problem from all sides? Andy was reflecting on a service meeting that happened last week.   Conversation was around our ability to objectively measure things and make better decisions. At the center of almost any measurement environment are the fundamentals of math. To determine priority or influence, it seems logical when dealing with inanimate objects like sensors, assets, and sites in a portfolio to move towards "point-based systems". The real dilemma for Andy seemed to comes when we begin scoring humans and letting pre-determined algorithms establish an individuals path. Our service meeting quickly changed from tactical to philosophical discussions and one of the technicians, Pragmatic Paul, made mention of a black mirror program (Netflix) named "Nosedive".    In this futuristic episode, an individuals score dictates their behavior and those ...
Post a Comment
Read more

In$pired

As the steam from Avid Andy's coffee fogged his glasses on this crisp January morning, he reflected on last year and thought enthusiastically about the year ahead.   Sometimes the noise of business is deafening, we rarely take the time to contemplate our moves, instead are often thrown one direction or another.   Hey, face it, if you are reading posts to gain perspective you fall in the group of folks who pride themselves as obsequious hoop-jumpers.   We live to help others and expect that all of those around us feel the same way.   I just love Influential Irene.   Okay, it is out in the open, she is an inspiration for me and so many others.   Irene reminds folks every year, without fail, these three statements which she fondly refers to as "the punchline" (although this is no joke).   Businesses, of any size, will be successful if they remember that it is people that make a company.   Put this advice into practice, today: Sincerity |...
Post a Comment
Read more