Right Next to the Smokers

Sometimes you just have to let people be who they are going to be.  Just let them deal with the uncertainty at work in the way that works for them.  Short of homicide and the like, of course.  What I mean is that it doesn’t hurt to accept the idiosyncrasies of the people you work with, to embrace them and the individual in question as precisely who they are meant to be.  

Someone at work recently said that at the beginning of their leadership career, the linchpin of their philosophy of leadership was to treat other people the way that she wanted to be treated.  She also said that was her first big mistake.  What she and most leaders learn very quickly is that treating everyone else the way you want to be treated might work for 25% of the people with whom you have contact.  The other 75% have a totally different view of life.

That’s the essence of what I observed today.  It was a great reminder of what I already know and practice: be accepting and allow others to navigate the world in their own, unique way.  Guide when you can; when you can’t, just show that you care.  Let people work through the rough spots.  Be there should they need you.  When they do, practice listening instead of talking, and practice coaching over managing.

In a nutshell, be human.  If there is one skill to be develop above all others, it is the art of being human.  Sure, learning business stuff is great.  Learning technology stuff is great, too.  Maybe a little financial wizardry would be helpful.  Some marketing genius won’t hurt.  But all that other stuff will eventually matter little if humanity is forgotten.  

Unfortunately, there’s an awful lot of humanity left at the door.  Right next to the smokers.