I work with some people who just cannot get used to informality.
They insist on knocking on my open office door before entering or even then wait to be invited to enter.
It really bugs me--because I do not like separating myself from my team with such trappings of either authority or power.
My boss does not require such from me--why should I retain psychological power holdovers from a previous era?
I want to be a member of the "team" and not just the coach/manager/leader.
That I am "management" should not be reinforced by holding on to the trappings of percieved power that separate us--but one of the strengths of a well functioning team is seeing that everyone has a job or position, they do it and they do it together.
I know when I hear some of the team some talk about "management" (or "them") they are referring to me and the office area I sit in, but still--I want them to know that when they say these things I understand that they feel disenfranchised and not part of the solution to the problem they are complaining about.
Teams are about shared responsibility and effort.
Some need to have the authority and responsibility to make decisions--but all should be invested in the outcome--personally.
Teams really work best when the team members care. One way everyone cares is if the barriers that separate team members are reduced.
If the leadership provides the general guidance and support that the team needs then there is a good chance the team will be efficient and adaptable to the changing stress of the moment.
If the door is open--come on in! We are all in this together.
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Seeing the Fair
Ask Lucas.
The Hunter Returns
There he was the other morning. Right there in the 5AM sky for me to see.
My old friend Orion has returned to guide me through another winter season and then to hopefully let me loose to enjoy another summer.
I have written before about my love-hate affair with the winter sky.
But it is Orion that is my guide in the stars.
He starts out in the early morning sky in the autumn, and during the winter becomes prominent in the evening and nighttime sky.
Low now on the morning horizon, but soon he will fill the evening sky.
Another of those signs that summer is passing into autumn and all that goes with the season.
Harvest, pumpkins, feasts, trees adorning themselves in colorful robes, and frost are but a few of the signs of the trasition.
It is good and useful that we have signposts to guide us across the seasons. As well, to guide us through life. Inanimate friends who make the big places familiar and comfort us--even in the night.
My old friend Orion has returned to guide me through another winter season and then to hopefully let me loose to enjoy another summer.I have written before about my love-hate affair with the winter sky.
But it is Orion that is my guide in the stars.
He starts out in the early morning sky in the autumn, and during the winter becomes prominent in the evening and nighttime sky.
Low now on the morning horizon, but soon he will fill the evening sky.
Another of those signs that summer is passing into autumn and all that goes with the season.
Harvest, pumpkins, feasts, trees adorning themselves in colorful robes, and frost are but a few of the signs of the trasition.
It is good and useful that we have signposts to guide us across the seasons. As well, to guide us through life. Inanimate friends who make the big places familiar and comfort us--even in the night.
Friday, September 3, 2010
Hurricanes and Labor Day
I've spent most of the week watching Hurricane Earl and trying to determine if the weekend is going to be a wash out or not.
It appears as if we are going to be OK for the weekend.
Funny, how I was concerned about such mundane things as going with the entire "fam" to the Maryland State Fair--which is fast becoming an annual tradition.
Now with three grandsons it promises to be an interesting event to attend. I still love the cows!
I probably should've been a farmer, although I'm sure I'd have been bankrupt and out of business by now. I have no business sense and I do love my toys--the latest tractor or manure spreader probably would have broken the bank.
But at least I do get up early in the morning. I love seeing the dawn break. When we were driving to and from Florida this year I was reminded of how I love to see the first signs of the dawning day on the horizon. It lifts my spirits.
For me still--new days dawn full of hope and promise.
Opportunities to succeed, things to do and people to meet and be with.
They remain full of promise.
I know some don't look at new days that way, and it is sad. Depressing even and I truly hope that I do not become one of those people for whom all hope seems lost.
I want each new day to be full of hope and adventure. The joy of discovering something new or looking at something old and familiar in a new way.
Like Hurricane Earl. Could have provided rain on my parade--but I still would have smiled. Why? Ask Chris. She knows that the reason I don't carry or use an umbrella is because I love to walk in the rain! So even in the midst of the rains from a hurricane, I can find something to enjoy.
Enjoy your Labor Day weekend. Don't drive too far and remember: even in a traffic jam, fun things happen!
It appears as if we are going to be OK for the weekend.
Funny, how I was concerned about such mundane things as going with the entire "fam" to the Maryland State Fair--which is fast becoming an annual tradition.
Now with three grandsons it promises to be an interesting event to attend. I still love the cows!
I probably should've been a farmer, although I'm sure I'd have been bankrupt and out of business by now. I have no business sense and I do love my toys--the latest tractor or manure spreader probably would have broken the bank.
But at least I do get up early in the morning. I love seeing the dawn break. When we were driving to and from Florida this year I was reminded of how I love to see the first signs of the dawning day on the horizon. It lifts my spirits.
For me still--new days dawn full of hope and promise.
Opportunities to succeed, things to do and people to meet and be with.
They remain full of promise.
I know some don't look at new days that way, and it is sad. Depressing even and I truly hope that I do not become one of those people for whom all hope seems lost.
I want each new day to be full of hope and adventure. The joy of discovering something new or looking at something old and familiar in a new way.
Like Hurricane Earl. Could have provided rain on my parade--but I still would have smiled. Why? Ask Chris. She knows that the reason I don't carry or use an umbrella is because I love to walk in the rain! So even in the midst of the rains from a hurricane, I can find something to enjoy.
Enjoy your Labor Day weekend. Don't drive too far and remember: even in a traffic jam, fun things happen!
Thursday, September 2, 2010
End of Summer
Mosquitoes own the prime pool side spots
Darkness falls and silence accompanies it
The children have returned to the classrooms.
Where did it go so quickly?
Why did it have to leave?
The questions remain unanswered by the empty pool chairs.
Waiting for another season
Another time
Alone. Forgotten.
Unused.
Hidden in Plain Sight
The image doesn't really do it justice--but the blue thing in the image is a Blue Hippo Tang hiding in plain sight in Jeremy's salt water aquarium the other night.
The tang was a bit freaked out as I walked over to the tank and it slid onto the bottom under some of the tank plant life and laid there until I left the area.
I did this a couple of times to be sure that I was the stimulus for this action and by about the third time, I was pretty sure it was me.
The other fish occupants of the tank looked on at the antics of the tang in utter disbelief. The clown fish and the yellow tang kept a close eye on me, the outsider, but maintained their ground.
I was, as you might expect, fascinated by the blue hippo tang though. Hiding in plain sight, but feeling safer.
Like the ostrich of the aquarium.
I think is was cute.
But I also felt as if I was seeing myself sometimes when I try to ignore the activities of the world around me. It is as if I am hiding in plain sight. I ignore the world--but the world is still there.
And the only thing that winds up happening is that what I'm ignoring and not dealing with, gets bigger.
I know someone who tried the ignore approach with a traffic ticket. And no--this is no one I'm related to, so everyone, breathe easier.
The ticket did not go away--it only got worse and when the ticket caught up with the person, it was a lot worse and a lot more embarrassing than just going to court and taking care of the problem in the first place. It is no fun to be handcuffed along the side of the highway because of a warrant due to failure to show up in court.
We cannot be successful in life by acting like the hippo tang in the tank.
Stuff will catch up with us and definitely, hiding in plain sight is not going to work.
Deal with it. Earlier is better.
The tang was a bit freaked out as I walked over to the tank and it slid onto the bottom under some of the tank plant life and laid there until I left the area.
I did this a couple of times to be sure that I was the stimulus for this action and by about the third time, I was pretty sure it was me.
The other fish occupants of the tank looked on at the antics of the tang in utter disbelief. The clown fish and the yellow tang kept a close eye on me, the outsider, but maintained their ground.
I was, as you might expect, fascinated by the blue hippo tang though. Hiding in plain sight, but feeling safer.
Like the ostrich of the aquarium.
I think is was cute.
But I also felt as if I was seeing myself sometimes when I try to ignore the activities of the world around me. It is as if I am hiding in plain sight. I ignore the world--but the world is still there.
And the only thing that winds up happening is that what I'm ignoring and not dealing with, gets bigger.
I know someone who tried the ignore approach with a traffic ticket. And no--this is no one I'm related to, so everyone, breathe easier.
The ticket did not go away--it only got worse and when the ticket caught up with the person, it was a lot worse and a lot more embarrassing than just going to court and taking care of the problem in the first place. It is no fun to be handcuffed along the side of the highway because of a warrant due to failure to show up in court.
We cannot be successful in life by acting like the hippo tang in the tank.
Stuff will catch up with us and definitely, hiding in plain sight is not going to work.
Deal with it. Earlier is better.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
September Dreams
The summer sun sets now too low
Darkness falls so early
My time with summer grows too short
Cool evenings chill my pool
Leaves show signs of falling soon
Yet, mosquitoes swarm my arms
Grapes are ripening on the vine
And change is in the air
If I could slow the seasons change
Halt the sun's migration
I'd remain in light and warmth
It's something that I dream
A dive boat out upon the waves
A daily grind I'm sure
But tanned and warm I'll ever be
And cold not ever more.
Darkness falls so early
My time with summer grows too short
Cool evenings chill my pool
Leaves show signs of falling soon
Yet, mosquitoes swarm my arms
Grapes are ripening on the vine
And change is in the air
If I could slow the seasons change
Halt the sun's migration
I'd remain in light and warmth
It's something that I dream
A dive boat out upon the waves
A daily grind I'm sure
But tanned and warm I'll ever be
And cold not ever more.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Phrase of the Day
During the message in church on Sunday titled, Good Works or Good News? I found the following phrase be very interesting--
The message into which the phrase was woven was a great discussion of works versus grace and how a good works system of salvation is arbitrary, can never provide absolute assurance, ultimately requires God to approve of evil and condradicts the Bible (see Titus 3:5).
I also found the phrase to be a interesting counterpoint to the Toby Keith country song "As Good as I Once Was" which has the phrase:
So when the two phrases are joined together I get something like:
I'm not a good as I should be
But I'm as good as I can be!
Which, by the way, is still not good enough!
"I'm not a bad as I could be,
but I'm not as good as I should be!"
The message into which the phrase was woven was a great discussion of works versus grace and how a good works system of salvation is arbitrary, can never provide absolute assurance, ultimately requires God to approve of evil and condradicts the Bible (see Titus 3:5).
I also found the phrase to be a interesting counterpoint to the Toby Keith country song "As Good as I Once Was" which has the phrase:
"I'm ain't as good as I once was
But I'm as good once as I ever was."
So when the two phrases are joined together I get something like:
I'm not a good as I should be
But I'm as good as I can be!
Which, by the way, is still not good enough!
Monday, August 30, 2010
Monday Musings - August 30, 2010
1. Well, panic is setting in already here in Maryland--talk of a hurricane for the weekend! Ugh. Snow--hurricane this region just gets fixated on weather.
2. Beautiful weekend in the sun and pool. Reminds me why I love summer.
3. I thinks someone needs to feed the mosquitoes a bit better--in the evening they seem to be starved and flock to me for sustenance. If they were better fed--maybe they wouldn't.
4. Jax decided he wanted to mimic his big brother by jumping off the diving board into the deep end of the pool yesterday. Only problem was, he didn't let any of the adults know his plan. Was a bit exciting for a brief time.
5. Today is the first day of school for children in Howard County and many other places in Maryland--and Chris has to face their smiling faces. Take a moment to thank a teacher or education professional that you know. God Bless Them!
6. Gonna be a hot one today--bring it on!
7. Hurricane Katrina--do you remember it? What have we done to help reconstruct? Five years ago destruction was the word along the entire Gulf Coast. Five years later--oil and BP are the word of the day.
2. Beautiful weekend in the sun and pool. Reminds me why I love summer.
3. I thinks someone needs to feed the mosquitoes a bit better--in the evening they seem to be starved and flock to me for sustenance. If they were better fed--maybe they wouldn't.
4. Jax decided he wanted to mimic his big brother by jumping off the diving board into the deep end of the pool yesterday. Only problem was, he didn't let any of the adults know his plan. Was a bit exciting for a brief time.
5. Today is the first day of school for children in Howard County and many other places in Maryland--and Chris has to face their smiling faces. Take a moment to thank a teacher or education professional that you know. God Bless Them!
6. Gonna be a hot one today--bring it on!
7. Hurricane Katrina--do you remember it? What have we done to help reconstruct? Five years ago destruction was the word along the entire Gulf Coast. Five years later--oil and BP are the word of the day.
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