Comments on: Friend of yours?

By: 90steve

90steve — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 22:05:27 +0000

Well said.
I believe the most successful leaders know how to get people to do things because they want to, not out of fear.

I tried to follow this philosophy as a Naval Officer and connect with my Sailors on a personal level, let them know I cared about them as a person. We were not buddies but mutually respected each other, which helped accomplish our mission.

The same can be acheived just as easily in the corporate world. I'm glad you went back to who you are and what is comfortable for you.

By: Sparky Firepants

Sparky Firepants — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 21:39:00 +0000

@NathanBowers: Thanks. Actually it’s a fairly simple process of cutting out shapes and coloring them in once they’re placed (digitally, of course).

We never had this conversation. Please destroy this comment after reading.

By: 90steve

90steve — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 12:55:00 +0000

Well said.
I believe the most successful leaders know how to get people to do things because they want to, not out of fear.
I tried to follow this philosophy as a Naval Officer and connect with my Sailors on a personal level, let them know I cared about them as a person. We were not buddies but mutually respected each other, which helped accomplish our mission.
The same can be acheived just as easily in the corporate world. I’m glad you went back to who you are and what is comfortable for you.

By: Kathlyn

Kathlyn — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 21:45:00 +0000

I think making the closest connection you respectfully can is vital to really good work. It also makes work a hell of a lot more fun. In my last job, there was a handful of people I really connected with – people I knew I would want to stay in touch with after I left the job. These also happened to be the people I respected the most as human beings and as co-conspirators. The closer I got with them, the easier it was to work together, both when things were easy and when things were not so easy. I do think you need to remember that the people you work with are not your “friends” (as you said, you don’t call them every day to see how they are doing), but the more you know them (and this is doubly true of a staff you’re managing), the easier it is to both motivate them (to do your bidding) and to help them achieve their own professional goals…which in turn, usually motivates them to do your bidding. It’s like the mirror double of the vicious cycle!

Thanks for a great post reminding me one of the chief reasons I escap…er, left my last place of employment – not nearly enough genuine connection!

Cheers.

By: Nathan Bowers

Nathan Bowers — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 21:11:00 +0000

Agree with everything in this post. Being approachable is key, and being yourself is even more key. If you’re denying yourself to be “corporate guy” you won’t like yourself and others will pick up on that and not like you either.

Also, you should put on false fronts because even if it works, you’re attracting people wouldn’t like you for you, therefore they’re out of alignment.

P.S. I love your “cut from rough recycled construction paper” look. How do you do that? Or is it a trade secret?