Friday, December 09, 2005
When Walking Away Pays Off
"The Lord helps those who help themselves", goes the old saying. And yes, I know it's been misappropriated and applied in the most inappropriate ways. But there is a dimension to it that often goes unremarked.
The leader in a situation may be all out working to help him/her/themselves. But team-members may be present in physical form only. No emotional or mental connection or involvement at all. Yet the project relies on their contribution.
And so no matter how ingenious, committed or resourceful the leader, the task may falter for the lack of involvement of the followers.
In such circumstances, it may pay the leader to walk away - if possible - even for a few minutes. Use the time to calm down, reconsider the possible approaches given this new knowledge, and then return to the fray.
It just might pay big dividends.
The leader in a situation may be all out working to help him/her/themselves. But team-members may be present in physical form only. No emotional or mental connection or involvement at all. Yet the project relies on their contribution.
And so no matter how ingenious, committed or resourceful the leader, the task may falter for the lack of involvement of the followers.
In such circumstances, it may pay the leader to walk away - if possible - even for a few minutes. Use the time to calm down, reconsider the possible approaches given this new knowledge, and then return to the fray.
It just might pay big dividends.
