Tuesday, November 7th, 2006...11:34 pm
Choose Your Battles Wisely
That title sounds like something Obi-Wan Kenobi probably spoke to Anakin Skywalker as he grew older and more arrogant.
You might say I am ranting tonight. But I really have grasped a truth in this situation that I must share.
At the moment, I am experiencing an interesting situation with a team I am on.
Teamwork can be especially difficult if the subject matter that the team is tackling is not the most pleasant thing in the world. In this case, some team members do not even want to participate. So how do we handle this? These team members have chosen to not show up for meetings.
Bear in mind, I am not in management, nor do I have the authority to force someone to show up for meetings. Today was the first meeting. We will see how management responds to the lack of participation.
The point I am trying to make is this…
For those who chose to fight this battle, the battle has been lost. Long term, these people have chosen to put a “restrictor plate” if you will (I cannot believe I just broke off a NASCAR term) on their careers.
Don’t get me wrong. There are times to be assertive. Those who are not participating have legitimate concerns. They are not just high hatting management. However, I have always believed that there are times to choose your battles. One day, something worth taking a stand on will pop up. Think about this when that desire overtakes you to bow your back…
Will taking this stand demonstrate character and leadership, or will it label me as “uncooperative”, “selfish”, or “unwilling to work with others”?
In case you have not noticed, playing well with others is fundamental to career building. My manager talks to me often about building networks and working well with others around me. It is vital to be trusted by others who you work with.
You have to make people want to follow you as a leader. You do this by working well with them, even in difficult circumstances. It develops a network of trust between you and those around you. If you are not esteemed by those around you as one who works well, even in the face of adversity, do not expect those same people to have any desire to follow you.
- Jason
1 Comment
November 17th, 2006 at 11:15 am
Lest you forget - you need to look at things from the other side as well.
If they see this as a waste of effort, something that’s going to die (and / or bring the active team-members down) then they’re not restricting their career - potentially you are.
Not that their behaviour then is particularly helpful to the rest of the team but it certainly gives you an opening into getting them back on side — or even changing the focus of the working members.
Tony
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