Emotions and behavior
When people get upset at work many times the anger or frustration is only triggered by one event but really is associated with another event. Sometimes we forget this. We make assumptions at work. We label people at work too often. We say this person has high potential and this person is slower than others. One person might be labeled too vocal and another person too timid. We forget that all of these emotions and behavior at work is part of our core personality and the way we view the world and others. Rather than trying to change people, The Best Manager knows it is better to have tolerance for ambiguity with others. This helps one to communicate better, be more adaptive and sensitive to other’s characteristics. As a result of people differences, organizations develop their own personalities based on the people they have hired. This is why it is so critical to work in a culture which fits one’s personality and values.
Implications for The Best Manager
The Best Manager knows that people are complex and their behavior is a combination of reactions based on how they think and what they have experienced in the world. The best strategy for developing people at work is to value the differences. The Best Manager understands that diversity increases creativity and innovation. It also increases conflict. Sometimes conflicts are helpful for development. With greater self-awareness we will accept who we are, work on those elements which need to develop, and accept that others are in different phases of their own self-development. Are there people differences at work? Yes! Do they impact behavior? Yes! The Best Manager accepts this as both the challenge and opportunity of leading others.
Learning summary and next steps
What educational opportunities can you put in place to enable people to understand and value the differences in others who they work with? How can you encourage a person to be a role model who values diversity in others? What processes can you put into place to educate the workforce on organizational values and behavior? Where are the challenges in your organization with regards to behavior and what could be done to bring greater self-awareness and people development tools to your organization? What are the top 3 challenges and developmental opportunities where you work with regards to people and their differences?