I’ve had a bad week. I take that back, I’ve had a terrible week.
We’ve all been there before, right?
It never feels good and as always, just when you think things can’t get any worse the only lightbulb working in the bathroom goes out while you’re taking a shower or you realize your phone never charged overnight. For me it was coming out to a flat tire on my car, then finding my portable air compressor (purchased for such an emergency) stopped working.
Sigh.
There are dozens of productivity, leadership and management gurus that have said the energy as an effect on your team. That, no matter what is happening, if you bring a smile and positive energy, your team will be more productive and everyone will be more amicable. Most of the time that tactic is best, focusing your efforts on opportunities and collaboration.
However, that’s not always possible. Sometimes as a leader, you just need to be yourself. In fact, you need to be your authentic self. One of the gifts humanity has is to smell bullshit from a mile away. It’s a necessity for survival, figuring out what other humans intentions are before its too late. Putting on a happy face, regardless of your current situation is bullshit. Sometimes, you need to show what you’re actually feeling.
When I’m having a terrible week, it makes it so much more difficult to not tell anyone. Carrying the stress of the week plus the stress of hiding the stress is… Stressful.
So show that stress. Tell you’re team you’ve been having a bad week and some things might be late. Get it out that you’re not at your best. It will be okay. In fact, it will be better than okay. You’re team will appreciate your honesty. They’ll support you. Leadership doesn’t mean you have to be perfect. It doesn’t mean you have to always be on. It means that you intentionally build a team that is build on honesty and trust, emphasizing its you and them versus the problem.
There’s only one catch to this, you have to be open to receiving. You need to be open to receiving help on the week’s tasks or putting together that project outline. In whatever way people offer you to help in those terrible, horrible weeks you need to be receptive to help. Accepting that you don’t have all the answers is okay, your team will help. I promise.
The key to all of this is accepting people the way they are, good or bad. Stressed or happy, energetic or worn down, talkative or quiet, accepting people as they are will make everyone’s life better. The biggest opportunity you have on your team is diversity. We’re not all the same and that’s a great thing. Some times we even change and that’s okay.
Accept people for the way they are and most importantly, accept the way you are. Some times, we all just need to embrace the fact that we had a terrible, no good week and telling other people about it is the first step to building a better environment.
Tis’ the Season for Predictions
Okay, 90 is a ridiculous number for “2020 trends”. But, I just can’t say no to these types of lists. Instead of a list from a platform or blog, this is 90 things people who work in the industry will be spending their time on.
I think blast from the past is the proper title. In 2020 not much is going to change. Relevant and focused content that is focused on your customer, the narrower the better, will still be your best tactic. There’s no tricks. No hacks. No secrets. It all comes down to how well you serve your customer.
Back to the Future? 90 Content Marketing Predictions for 2020
You are Enough
As you can tell, I’ve had a bad week. Instead of pushing through a Get Better Friday video, hiding my discomfort and putting on a fake smile, I want to share something that is important for all of us. Regardless of your title, your bank account or how many people follow you, I want you to know you are enough. I accept you for the way you are. You are amazing, you’re doing great work. Keep it up, I can’t wait to see what you do next.