The Haunted House of Leadership - Meetings
"Boo!" Casper
Happy Halloween and welcome to the haunted house. Brave enough to enter and walk through its dark and damp hallways, dusty spiderweb covered rooms, and dark corners? Instead of ghoulish hosts with fangs and creatures emerging from dark corners, you'll encounter the group who is worn down, looking for respite, the late or indifferent attendee, the question you don't have the answer to and fear of making a decision. This time mom or dad is not close by to grab hold of. You're on your own and the echos inside this chamber are terrifying.
Boo!
Now that your blood is running cold and you feel frozen in place, take my cold dead hand or grab onto my dusty robe and let me guide you through the haunted house. The first room is the dining room with a long table surrounded by tall-backed chairs. Some are empty awaiting their occupants. Screens may be shut off showing only a name. Faces shift toward you, go silent and await your guidance. Don't be scared. You've prepared for the meeting. You understand the strategic organizational situation or big picture. You know your people very well. You have an agenda and a real purpose for gathering everyone. You've established a healthy, people-centric environment built on trust and belonging and you're not afraid to share your fears and anxieties. You've established discipline in the organization so people understand that early is on time, on time is late.
Next is the long hallway with its creaking wooden floorboards. There you'll encounter the attendee who is under pressure and distressed. Walk with courage. You'll be empathetic toward their angst, listening intently but ready to coach them into problem solving. You'll also be armed with resources to help them as needed. They will know you have their back.
It looks like the bookcase is a hidden door. As you push it open and step through, there appears the same group from the dining room. It is a dark, cold, echo chamber and you are pummeled with questions you do not have the answers to. Don't be afraid. You're a strong, confident, yet vulnerable leader. You'll be able to admit that you have some ideas but may not have the answer You'll be able to poll the group for their ideas.
Finally, you enter what seems to be the last room. There again is the group from the dining room, this time aged by decades, wearing the same clothing worn and tattered. Tired and decrepit, they turn to you for a decision. Once again you muster the bravery (as leaders must do) gathering information to make the best decision you can. You do this knowing you have a supportive team, you've created a psychologically safe environment where people can offer constructive criticism, and you know changes to your decision can be made as conditions change.
Then, in an instant, the meeting ends. You find yourself outside where the sun is shining once again and there is nothing to fear. You made it! See, it wasn't so bad...
Need a dad (or a coach) close by for the next haunted house you'll encounter? Call me. I've got your 6!
Make it Personal!
Rob
Rob Campbell