Working Up

by Dwayne Phillips

Two fundamental tasks most of us should attempt everyday.

Perhaps you manage work in your profession. Much of what I write is pointed towards us managers of work. I also point towards us leaders of people. Manage and lead. Fundamentals.

Two basic tasks of managers and leaders are observing and noticing. Two different things.

Observing turns on all the senses and takes in everything—well almost everything as sometimes everything is overwhelming. See, touch, taste, smell, hear, etc.

Noticing comes from observing. I have been watching all these people walk in and out of Starbucks this morning. I noticed that few people wear socks in the middle of July. It is too hot for socks or maybe socks are out of style these days.

I sit in a meeting. I observe carefully. I listen carefully as my hearing isn’t as good as it used to be. If I don’t listen carefully, I don’t hear what people are saying. I notice that people speak at one volume as they enter the room and chat about whatever. Once the meeting begins, people speak in a lower volume.

Observe by listening; notice the change in volume. Now I can manage the work and lead the people. Why are people speaking softly when they express their opinion about the work and the organization? Are they afraid? Do they lack confidence? Are battles raging behind the scenes? Those are questions a leader may ask and issues a leader may address.

Observe. Notice. Let’s do better.