As the NTCA team settles into our hybrid model for our workforce, I continue to be struck by the fact that some days feel great and some days I worry that we are not collaborating enough in person and balancing that with another Covid uptick in the DC area. Hence, the leadership “burnout” over the past few years as we continue to ponder what are the right decisions for our teams and operations in a world that feels like balance has been a tad off-kilter for a bit longer than any of us anticipated.
While I continue to compare notes with other association and law firm heads with hopes that there is a silver bullet out there, I just haven’t found it yet. Productivity? Not a problem. Our team continues to produce while still working on how to shut it off when it is far too easy to get online even before that first cup of coffee of the day is brewing. But I do struggle with how to break down divisional silos when it’s enough of a challenge to ensure that divisions themselves are staying connected and coordinated. Maybe today’s blog is more of a therapy blog for me as I also think how much easier it is to ignore the true work that it takes to work well with others and to actually derive energy, innovation and happiness from those relationships - particularly as the world has felt so chaotic.
Maybe that is why I was so struck by a recent posting in Axios, one of my “go-to” series of newsletters, entitled “Assuming Positive Intent.” The entire premise is we need to all stop assuming the worst, especially about one another! Easier said that done but they gave some take away tips that I am working on keeping top of mind…
- Ask, don’t think. Then listen.
- Talk, don’t text. (That doesn’t mean that everything needs a meeting, but even picking up the phone goes a long way in terms of understanding where the other person is coming from.)
- Don’t talk crap. The only thing worse than assuming negative intent is gossiping about it and spread the problem. That’s how Small Things become Big Things. All even more important in a hybrid world.
I have also added a short cut to ensuring that my mental health stay on even keel - we got a puppy! Ok, when Madigan treats our family room as a porto potty or nips Cassie’s tail or after certainly waking up VERY early every morning, I wonder if raising a puppy and having two dogs in the household is certain to drive me loony even more quickly. But then I watch that ball of fluff fly across the kitchen floor like a drunken sailor and bounce right back up to continue her antics, I know that laughter truly is the best medicine!
Madigan has already been making the trek into the office with me once a week and maybe I just need to ensure she is invited to all of our divisional staff meetings to ensure we are all able to keep perspective.
Doesn't everyone need a copilot some days?