Tag Archives: difficult

Leadership Should Be Difficult

ThinkstockPhotos-87453587Leadership isn’t easy. People and employees who think being a leader means sitting in the corner office, taking three-hour lunches and spending afternoons on the golf course are sadly mistaken.

Leadership is difficult—and leadership should be difficult. Why? Because at its heart, being a leader is about bringing people together with a shared vision in order to achieve a goal or solve a problem. It’s about how leaders influence the daily lives of the people who work for them and how their decisions affect careers and outcomes.

A leader not only brings different personalities and employees together but also instills confidence in those differing personalities in order to bring about success. This is not an easy task. The most difficult part of commanding is knowing what is really going on with the company, with individual employees and what the best solution is. That’s a daunting task for anyone.

The Difficult Truth

Human nature dictates that employees and workers look up to leaders because they believe these leaders know the truth and have solutions. On the flip side, human nature also dictates that even leaders are sometimes clueless as to what is actual truth and what is a personal interpretation.

Humans often draw conclusions quickly and without awareness, which results in a skewed view of what is really going on.

What leaders think and say is usually perceived as truth, when it may not actually be. Managers have the difficult task of putting their personal interpretations aside, researching all options and deciding—even against their personal preferences—what the best course of action is.

The Mediator

Handling conflicts in a workplace is also a difficult, but necessary, task for leaders. Ideally, employees can work out problems between each other, but if they cannot, leaders must step in to resolve the conflict. Conflicts in the office can easily spiral out of control, leading to a toxic and unproductive work environment.

Handling conflicts or disciplining employees is not an easy task, nor should it be. Leaders are expected to use a firm, yet gentle, hand to help resolve problems and ease fears.

The Professional Student

In addition to managing expectations, results and people, leaders are expected to be on top of the latest training and information. Professionals in an authoritative role can’t wait for the next training session, but instead, must constantly learn, research and grow in order to effectively lead a team.

While others go home at the end of the day and relax or watch their favorite show, leaders should invest in their development by reading, watching and studying as often as possible.

Putting Others First

Today’s leadership model has shifted toward servant leadership where leaders are expected to focus on the development of their employees. True leaders create more leaders.

This role is a tough one to balance. On one hand, a leader must deliver results and make an impact on the success of the company; on the other hand, managers are expected to cater to different personality types and generations in the workforce in order to boost employee development. The overall result should benefit the company’s bottom line.

Modern leadership is more difficult now than in the past. Being a leader isn’t a simple task, but instead is a journey of work, self-discipline, and continuing education. If done right, however, the results can be rewarding, for you, your employees, and your company.

Are You “That Guy?”

are you that guy? Annyoing co-workerWe’ve all worked with them. That one person at work who just doesn’t seem to get it. Maybe the person is loud-mouthed, annoying, or just trying too hard, and is always getting on everyone’s nerves.

Most of the time, they don’t realize how many problems they can be causing in the office. While there are several ways of handling difficult co-workers, many team members have no idea they are being “that person” who is causing problems. Here are some ways you can identify if you’re being a difficult co-worker and how you can fix those annoying habits.

You’re Just Not Fitting in
Even though it may not be in the company handbook, each employer has their own company culture, which has its own etiquette, expectation, and accepted behaviors. It could be the way you dress, the words you say, or even how you use emails. Pay attention to how your managers and co-workers behave and take in the unspoken rules of conduct. Also, look through your emails to make sure you aren’t marketing your emails urgent, or Cc’ing or Bcc’ing every email. If you are, you’re being “that guy.” When in doubt, ask your manager for advice.

Workplace Slob
There are several reasons to keep your workplace tidy, but a dirty workspace can communicate several bad messages to your co-workers and management. Many people work in communal areas and shared workspaces, so by not keeping your space clean, you aren’t respecting the others who are using the same space. While you may think it’s a sign that you’re busy, most think it’s a sign of laziness.

There are places other than your workspace you can keep tidy, too. If you eat at a restaurant for lunch and bring back leftovers, make sure to take it home after work or eat it in the next few days. It can be very annoying to co-workers when the company fridge is full of half-eaten food and forgotten-about lunch sacks.

Prim and Proper Failure
Noise and smells can travel, especially if you’re working in a un-secluded part of an office or warehouse. Take the time to freshen up a bit after bicycling to work, working out during your lunch break, or eating a meal that makes your breath smell. If you work closely with other people, they will notice and it will reflect poorly on your professional image.

Also, pay attention to how people react to the volume of your voice and what you generally talk about. Some colleagues across the office may not want to hear about your weekend plans. Ask around if the music you listen to is disturbing your fellow co-workers. These types of interferences can slow down productivity and quickly gain you a bad reputation.

Negative Nancy
While you may need to vent your frustrations to a confidant to relieve stress, complaining too much can make you look bad. Such strong negativity can make your co-workers feel like you aren’t a good worker or that your negative outlook is draining. Consciously try to be positive and respectful. You may not care, but avoid interrupting colleagues or discounting others’ ideas. A few kind words can help you build stronger relationships with your peers.

Working with the same people every day can be hard, but bad behavior can make things even worse. Not being “that guy” may be a simple mix of workplace etiquette and common sense, but they’re still good to keep in mind. What are some annoying behaviors you’ve faced at work?