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Posted: 05 Aug 2011 05:38 AM PDT  Do you remember the old saying, "You can catch more flies with honey than vinegar" ? I am not a huge fan of flies and never really understood why anyone would want to catch 'em anyway, but I get the sentiment of the statement and observed a direct demonstration of the honey versus vinegar argument this last weekend. While road-tripping to Mammoth Lakes, my family stopped at gorgeous Mount Whitney to take pictures and get as close as possible without actually going off road or having to hike. We took Whitney Portal Road past the Alabama Hills toward the base of Mt. Whitney where we hoped to get some beautiful pictures. As the road wound up the mountain, we came upon a film crew; there were trailers everywhere and cameras strapped to vehicles and cranes. There were a few highway patrol cars, as well – they seemed to be simply monitoring activity, giving an official air to the scene we had come upon. We continued our trek up the road and eventually did find the perfect spot to take some incredible pictures.  After we had quenched our thirst for the view, we climbed back in our car and proceeded back down the hill. When we came upon the film crew again, one of the CHP cars was stopped at the side with three or four other vehicles parked behind him. There was no indication that we should stop, so we started to pass, safely mind you, when the officer jumped out of his vehicle, angrily waved his arms at us. When we stopped, he strutted around the car to speak to my boyfriend, who was driving. The officer snottily asked if we were in a hurry. We replied no, just making our way back to Highway 395. He was having none of our small talk. He interrupted and gestured to the side of the road saying, "When you see a police car and other cars stopped, you should stop and wait to be told to proceed."I am being nice when I say this guy was a jerk. We were on a nice family drive, enjoying the view and historic sites we had taken in that day. He did not embody "to serve and protect" – his self-important approach and disdain for happy people was clearly evident in his speech and walk. I left the conversation feeling considerable disrespect for the officer and the California Highway Patrol, in general. I wish I could say that I am sure that was not his intent. His vinegar was revolting and has now become the butt of many jokes. He didn't seem like a bigger man nor did it qualify him as an authority of any kind. He successfully downgraded law enforcement officers in my eyes. Ranger Smith would have garnered more respect… When given the opportunity, do you use authority to show importance or to lead? True Leadership is often a misnomer in business today. The wrong people are promoted or stay in positions of influence usually because the effort or disruption would require too much to remove them. The Peter Principle is alive and well in all industries. Sadly, incompetence doesn't confine itself to the staff at your local print shop. It can seep its way into any organization, any industry, any person. And acknowledging that possibility just might be half the battle.  Rayanne Thorn, @ray_anne is the Marketing Director for the online recruiting software company, Broadbean Technology. She is also a proud mother of four residing in Laguna Beach, California, and a contributor for Blogging4Jobs. Connect with her on LinkedIn.  |
Posted: 05 Aug 2011 04:17 AM PDT  When it comes to your life, there’s nothing casual about it. The same holds true for your personal life and sex or the office. There is no such thing as casual sex. There’s also no such thing as casual leadership. You’re either an engaged leader or you are not.As an organization leader, I have always been a proponent of MBWA or Management by Walking Around. On a daily basis, I would wonder, casually walking around the office, call center, plant, or retail location I oversaw. But there was purpose with my wanderings, making them not very casual or wondering at all. My goal was to engage an intended target, an employee open to answering questions, making small talk, or having conversations along the way. Sometimes I would wonder by Team 6 to check in on my new hires or spot check beams to audit our team’s most recent safety evaluation. On the surface, it appeared casual, but there was a method to my casual madness. It was targeted, meticulous, and calculated. In retail, we called this walking the race track. Think of mall walking but with a purpose. Those managers that choose to walk the racetrack chatted with customers, checked in with employees, and evaluated their surroundings, relationships all with an end game in mind. That end game could vary depending on the person. Selling more widgets, getting home early, or out of sheer boredom. There was nothing casual about it. Sometimes managers walk through the motions. Employees are the same way. Choosing to be casual when they really are disengaged, unhappy, or unmotivated to go beyond the surface and let their guard down and live. Going through the motions and doing what my mom calls half-assing it along the way. We only have one life to live, one moment in time. Life, sex, or play isn’t casual. Why should your work life as an organizational leader be any different? Photo Credit This is Your Conscience.  |
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