THINGS TO PONDER IN A CORPORATE WORKSPACE:
A usual practice
to say - That’s Not My Job.
There is a story told
about four people named Everybody, Somebody, Anybody, and Nobody.
There was an important
job to be done and Everybody was sure that Somebody would do it.
Anybody could have
done it, but Nobody did it.
Somebody got angry
about that, because it was Everybody’s job.
Everybody thought that
Anybody could do it, but Nobody realized that Everybody wouldn’t do it.
Finally it ended
up that Everybody blamed Somebody, when Nobody did the job what Anybody could
have done.
It is often said that 80% of the work is done by 20% of the people, and that if you want something to be done, ask a busy person to do it. At the same time as this may be true, it is neither healthy nor sustainable; we cannot expect people to continue to do the same jobs indefinitely.
The moral of the story, of course, is that nothing happened because no
one took a leadership role in the important job to be done. Tasks are
accomplished when somebody (not the Somebody in this story) takes ownership of
an issue and champions its completion. Any of the four people in the
story above could have taken ownership and become the leader, but no one
did. So, even though all the jobs appeared to be covered by the four
people above, no one was a leader. Problem is, this type of situation
happens all too frequently in many businesses today.
It is important to remember that all owner-operators, managers and
supervisors hold positions of leadership, but not all owner-operators, managers
and supervisors are leaders. There is a significant difference between
managers and leaders.
Managers are analytical, structured, controlled, deliberate and
orderly. They concentrate on strategies, consider dangers, determine
problems, seek uniformity, and formulate policies. Stability, buttoning
things up, planning, reacting, reorganizing, and refining are seen as necessary
for achieving identified goals and objectives. Managers think logically,
take charge, like formality, and perpetuate hierarchies. Most inhabit the
present, concentrate on short-term results, pursue the tangible and are
dependent.
Leaders on the other hand are flexible, experimental, innovative,
creative and visionary. Pursuing dreams are common for most reside in the
future and seek the intangible. They tend to use the power of intuition and
inwardly they sense opportunity. Partnering and cooperation is in the forefront
of their thinking for their goal is to lay out sweeping strategies and then
build upon them calculated strengths. Leaders nurture a culture by
applying influence, setting examples, inspiring and empowering the masses,
seeking interaction, and eliciting creativity through synergism. They thrive on
crisis, respond proactively, redevelop and revolutionize. They demand
quicker, faster, and better while striving for long-term results.
In today’s complicated work environment and business arena, astute
leaders are sought after. Why?
They achieve great amounts of work without direct involvement because
they know how to work through other people. They are able to see the big
picture which often escapes those directly involved, so they make good
mediators, advisers, counselors, and planners. They are able to apply the right
amount of direction and support depending on the situation and can correctly
assess the level of competency and motivation of the people involved.
Deep within they have a valuable and challenging vision that is communicated directly
to their followers. It motivates and inspires them to action while
helping their followers reach their personal goals. Most importantly they
believe in their cause with a passion. They are committed, steadfast,
unswerving and faithful to achieving in the end result. That is a plain smart
management.
Now that there is a better understanding of effective leadership,
Nobody will be left behind, Anybody can ask for guidance, Somebody will now
reach their potential and Everybody will be happy.
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