Urgency is always a matter of perspective. The closer we are to something, the more acutely we feel the urgency.
It is no surprise then, that we will encounter individuals we must solicit help from (urgently) that do not share the same concern for our deadlines. What is one to do to move the log out of the road?
While this is not a kind description, people unwilling to be stirred by our peril do tend to appear to us as logs blocking the road. But let's back up here and look at the broader picture. Let's look at it from the log's perspective.
Pretending I'm the log, it might interest you to know that I'm not normally a log. But you have successfully objectivized me by not including me in your plans prior to this moment. Perhaps if I were a firefighter, I might work in response mode. But I am not. What you require of me requires someone else's urgency to lose its place in line.
I was waiting to pass through airport TSA recently and more than three times was asked by people in a hurry if they could go ahead of me. I had arrived really early to allow for long lines. What story did these people have? Had they gotten away with the sad tale, "my plane leaves in 10 minutes" before... so they think this tactic will save their continued habit of failing to plan? I didn't ask, I just let them pass, because it was possible this was a unique situation and it served no good purpose to ask them their story. Nonetheless it's always annoying. They had no relationship with me prior to this event. Thus, there was zero trust from my quarter at the genuineness of their need. Yet, I was merciful, thinking if I were ever in a similar situation I would hope to receive mercy.
So there is one key---relationship. If the only contact you have with needed individuals is your repeated emergencies when they didn't need to be, those individuals will become logs to you...joyfully.
The other viewpoint...you need to move a log you didn't anticipate (or you would have planned). You unfortunately encounter a log that has lost the will to ever transform back into a human, having discovered some sort of sick power in holding projects for ransom. In these situations remember there IS a person under the bark...and they may be moved by things a little as genuine eye contact and a kind word. Or something slightly larger like the acknowledgement and apology (sincere please) that they are important to your process and you will not repeat the oversight. Then, if they help, make sure their help is acknowledged to people that matter to them. And please try your best to be okay with "no" or "you will need to wait". Even the most compassionate people eventually can not handle the constant stream of emergencies without a break. Nor should they...but that's a topic for another day.
Bottom line: people matter more than projects or processes...always. Unless your project was to stop a world leader from pressing the red button, it will all work out all right in the end, even if you are delayed by a log jam.
It is no surprise then, that we will encounter individuals we must solicit help from (urgently) that do not share the same concern for our deadlines. What is one to do to move the log out of the road?
While this is not a kind description, people unwilling to be stirred by our peril do tend to appear to us as logs blocking the road. But let's back up here and look at the broader picture. Let's look at it from the log's perspective.
Pretending I'm the log, it might interest you to know that I'm not normally a log. But you have successfully objectivized me by not including me in your plans prior to this moment. Perhaps if I were a firefighter, I might work in response mode. But I am not. What you require of me requires someone else's urgency to lose its place in line.
I was waiting to pass through airport TSA recently and more than three times was asked by people in a hurry if they could go ahead of me. I had arrived really early to allow for long lines. What story did these people have? Had they gotten away with the sad tale, "my plane leaves in 10 minutes" before... so they think this tactic will save their continued habit of failing to plan? I didn't ask, I just let them pass, because it was possible this was a unique situation and it served no good purpose to ask them their story. Nonetheless it's always annoying. They had no relationship with me prior to this event. Thus, there was zero trust from my quarter at the genuineness of their need. Yet, I was merciful, thinking if I were ever in a similar situation I would hope to receive mercy.
So there is one key---relationship. If the only contact you have with needed individuals is your repeated emergencies when they didn't need to be, those individuals will become logs to you...joyfully.
The other viewpoint...you need to move a log you didn't anticipate (or you would have planned). You unfortunately encounter a log that has lost the will to ever transform back into a human, having discovered some sort of sick power in holding projects for ransom. In these situations remember there IS a person under the bark...and they may be moved by things a little as genuine eye contact and a kind word. Or something slightly larger like the acknowledgement and apology (sincere please) that they are important to your process and you will not repeat the oversight. Then, if they help, make sure their help is acknowledged to people that matter to them. And please try your best to be okay with "no" or "you will need to wait". Even the most compassionate people eventually can not handle the constant stream of emergencies without a break. Nor should they...but that's a topic for another day.
Bottom line: people matter more than projects or processes...always. Unless your project was to stop a world leader from pressing the red button, it will all work out all right in the end, even if you are delayed by a log jam.
As a manager I find that I am the person under the bark often. Other peoples consistent failure to plan is hurtful. It is hard to say no but I have learned that the word No is helpful in building that person into the responsible employee I know they are.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comments Larry. I agree, and having been on both sides, there are some times I welcome "no" from the person in front of me, since it helps everyone understand when resource capacity has been met! Blessings to you.
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