From Reaction to Action – Ask Maryanne
This week on the Thought Leadership Podcast we are joined by Maryanne Robertson, Chief HR Officer for a regional restaurant chain to talk about the challenges leaders in today’s organizations are facing.
Thought Leadership Podcast: Maryanne, we’ve talked in the past about challenges such as artificial intelligence, mentoring and rebuilding trust.
Maryanne: And don’t forget, mischievous workplace behavior.
TDP: Oh yes, you did entertain us with that topic. You and your team must get easily frustrated confronting these challenges not to mention the changes you must deal with. How do leaders today cope?
Maryanne: Frustrating indeed. Often a typical day is spent reacting to demands and obligations. Of course, there are things you must tend to as they arise, but choices can be made and priorities can be set. An activity I learned at a leadership symposium was to begin imagining your perfect, your ideal. What’s your ideal day like? Or the ideal workplace, or meeting, or team. Then do something about it.
TDP: That sounds easier said than done, Maryanne. Can you elaborate?
Maryanne: Not to oversimplify it, but it’s not as hard as it might seem if you put your mind to it—shift your thinking from reacting, the mode we get caught in, to an action mode. Most people know what frustrates and exhausts them. When you look at your work life, even your personal life, and all your relationships, ask yourself four things:
What would you add?
What would you take away?
What would you fix?
What would you stop?
TDP: That does sound easy, but isn’t there more to it?
Maryanne: Of course. Once you have these answers, then you have to make some intentional choices to change. You have to do something.
TDP: Such as?
Maryanne: Well, if you need more uninterrupted thinking time, then add it to your calendar and commit to doing it. If constant multi-tasking is leaving you exhausted, stop trying to do everything at once. Then there is everyone’s complaint—meetings wasting energy and time. Take away unnecessary agenda items or eliminate meetings that no longer serve a purpose.
TDP: I’m seeing a pattern here. You mentioned moving from reaction to action. Any practical tips on doing that?
Maryanne: Yes, it’s part of the activity. Too often we let life happen to us rather than exercising influence over it. It’s time to replace busyness—a habitual way of working and living—with intention. Understanding what you would change is the path to making a choice about what you will change. Go back to the original questions and now list what you will add, take away, fix and stop. Choose one action and act on it today, another tomorrow, another the next day until you’re acting in a way that’s meaningful to you.
These changes don’t require someone else to rescue you. You’re making deliberate choices and positioning yourself to better meet the constantly occurring challenges you are up against every day.
TDP: Thanks so much for your insights, Maryanne. It’s always a pleasure.
For joining us today, audience members can download this free ebook Ask Maryanne: Unlocking Management Challenges.
Maryanne: And don’t forget to get a copy of They Did What? – a compilation of those unbelievable tales based on real life experiences.