“The task of the leader is to get his people from where they are to where they have not been.” Henry Kissinger
It is easy to get frustrated as we lead/work with people. Especially when we encounter negative feedback or resistance to partnership as we journey together. In the midst of the conflict it is important to remember that conflict gives us the opportunity to see what lies beneath the surface…which would otherwise have remained unseen.
Example: An employee/partner may approach you and suggest that they are disappointed with how they are being treated, how they are being paid, or something like. Your mind goes to the defense…”Have you any idea how hard I…” and so on…
This path leads to the cycle of crazies.
Stepping back and taking a balcony view brings fresh perspective. Why does the employee/partner feel this way? What has/has not be communicated in regards to their feelings? This is the first level of questioning…
But the is a secondary level…what do their feelings reveal about where their character growth / maturity is at? What does my response reveal about where my maturity is?
I have become convinced over the years that it is less about the product / service we have to offer…and much more about how we navigate the journey in respect to the products and services we offer. How we grow is the quantification of / the sum of our life’s journey.
“As a leader you should always start with where people are before you try to take them to where you want them to go.” Jim Rohn
People are where they are. We are where we are. We journey together. Taking some time to reflect and gain a balcony perspective can help us to get to deeper levels of personal and organizational transformation.
