Inspiring Workplaces: Are You Wearing a Blindfold When it Comes to Change?

Published: Wed, 10/03/18

Humor at Work

ISSUE 745 - Oct. 3, 2018


			Are You Wearing a Blindfold When it Comes to Change?

	I often remind my speaking audiences that if the pace of change outside your organization exceeds the pace of change on the inside, it's just a matter of time before you'll be in serious trouble! The book, Reinvention: Accelerating Results in the Age of Disruption, describes six self-imposed "blindfolds" that can cause people to make like a proverbial ostrich and put their head in the sand when it comes to embracing change. Which of the following six blindfolds do you think you, your team, or your entire company might be most susceptible to? Arrogance. Believing that you know best and that everyone else is a doofus (my term, not the authors) is a sure fire recipe for disaster. Negative Feedback Not Being Acknowledged: Not listening to legitimate concerns or negative feedback offered up by employees or customers. It's hard to accept the fact you need to change if you aren't open to receiving honest feedback. Dismissing Competitor's Success: Also known as, "Yeah right, as if Uber/Netflix/Amazon could ever have a serious impact on our business" syndrome. We Know What's Best for Our Customers...so we don't even have to ask them what they want! (See also #1 above.) Believing Problems Don't Exist. Rose-colored, ostrich-plumed glasses anyone? Avoiding the Unavoidable. "What elephant? I don't see any elephants in the room?" Hoping the unavoidable just magically goes away isn't the best strategy for, well, anything! So how do you remove the blindfolds? It's not easy; there's no quick fix. Being aware a blindfold exists is step #1. Creating a personal mindset and culture that is open to feedback is critical. Honest communication is a must - including listening to your employees and customers. And embracing a spirit of creativity and curiosity intermixed with loads of fun and humor is, without a doubt, absolutely essential!

		Mike's Fun at Work Tip

One of my clients creates an annual company cookbook featuring recipes from employees and/or teams. Because the company is focused on employee health and wellness as a key priority, they ask for submissions that include healthy eating ideas for lunches and busy families on the go. And all of the recipes have fun names that tie back to their business. You could create a cookbook just for your organization, create one to give as a gift to clients or partners, or even sell them to raise money for your favorite charity.
		Quote of the Week

“Play out your dream. There is no second chance. You either choose to impact your environment or your environment will define you.” Bill Strickland
		It's a Wacky World

The 2018 Ig Nobel Awards were recently handed out to honor scientific endeavors that make people think and laugh. This year's winners included: A study looking into whether or not roller coaster rides could hasten the passage of kidney stones. A study measuring the frequency, motivation, and effects of shouting and cursing while driving an automobile. A study investigating whether it is effective for employees to use Voodoo dolls to retaliate against abusive bosses.

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New Book Title!
A huge thanks to all of you that took the time to fill out the survey for my latest book title. And a huge personal thanks to my fellow Hall of Fame speaker Patricia Katz, who inspired the winning title: "Hire, Inspire, and Fuel Their Fire! How to Recruit, Onboard, and Train New Employees to Live Your Culture Out Loud."

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