Antibiotics for Organizational Pneumonia
My undergraduate and graduate degrees were not in journalism or English. However, I seem to find myself thinking about things alot while ideas run (or walk) around my head. With all the people feeling ill from pollen and allergies … and digesting business culture (a lot from my previous blogs about Undercover Boss), these two ideas converged.
Having lived and observed businesses for the last three decades, you begin to develop a longitudinal sense of things. The changes in US businesses, senior management and their culture have become fascinating to watch. There appears to be a sense of pneumonia … an illness that requires some intervention. Here are my thoughts:
Are we able to follow the people who lead us? Do we have an unshakable sense of blind faith in their ability? Feel like you have a “cheerleader” and supporter that you can rely on to achieve a mutual objective? Or none of the above?
Trust – An assured reliance on the character, ability, strength, or truth of someone or something; one in which confidence is placed.
Are we able to feel very comfortable, safe and at ease to follow? Is there any hesitancy or anxiety that is related to doing what is asked of us? Or is it … I am so excited to accept this responsibility and get it accomplished?
Leadership – The office or position of a leader; the capacity to lead.
When information is conveyed, do we look for the nefarious meanings? Try to read in between lines? Look for other reasons associated with the actions or inactions? Maybe even “walk on egg shells” without really understanding the true meaning of the situation? Or is it more “robotic” to avoid an honest discussion because that may cause issues?
Transparency – The quality or state of being transparent in one’s actions or motives.
Have you ever attended a meeting or impromptu conversations … and been “yelled” at? Felt the need to stand up and raise your own voice? Storm out of a meeting angry and upset? People that are actually content to purposely hurt others?
Collegiality – Having authority or power shared among a number of people associated as colleagues.
Ever felt that people would not support or mentor you simply because it is you asking? That the issue or initiative was not the focus of the analysis, but whether your name was attached to it? That you sometimes would just want to put someone else’s name on your initiative or convince them it is their idea? To move something along for the best or the organization?
Objectivity – Decisions and actions which are not influenced by personal feelings, interpretations, or prejudice; based on facts; unbiased.
Was there ever a situation while listening to someone … and your mind is spinning around thinking that you are being told something different from fact? Or a portion of fact? And you are uncomfortable on how to move forward?
Honesty –Uprightness of character or action; implies a refusal to lie, steal, or deceive in any way; suggests an active regard for the standards of one’s profession, calling, or position; a degree that one is incapable of being false to a trust.
Do you have those days when you sit back and think … people are doing what’s best for them and not organization and its stakeholders? Employees? Acting in what is best for themselves and not in a more pluralistic approach? Then you think … is that the way I have to be to survive? That you have to be more of an “I” rather than a “we”?
Selflessness – Having no concern for one’s self; due care and custodianship of the responsibility of one’s position; having a focus on the greater whole rather than the individual.
I wish I had the answers. If I had the answer, I would magically implement it. As I said to someone last year, I would gladly give up (object) to solve these perplexing trends in businesses … that seem to frustrate, disengage, sadden and anger the people who can see a brighter alternative and productive environment. One where everyone is pulling on the same rope and not feel that it is around their neck.
Antibiotics are a modern medical wonder. However, they only work if you take them. Let’s pray that they help.