'Monday, Monday.... so good to me'.... NOT!
Have you ever believed that your day was quickly swirling out of control and you had no way of stopping it? Ah, yes, that kind of day.
I've been dropped into the midst of 'office politics', by the book 'team leading effectiveness' and 'politically correctness' - and I want out. Not out of the position, but off this ineffective, time wasting, energy busting merry-go-round I'm on.
I have the answer to the issues though - companies need to stop trying to please everyone, start making their people accountable and give them project ownership. No more hiding in cubicles, doing as little as possible to avoid causing any waves and having the freedom to voice every little 'concern'.
My apologies if I offend anyone... this time I'm going to do it in advance. A friend and peer of mine has a saying that he vocalizes within his massive 1000+ companies - 'don't ask for permission, beg for forgiveness'. I like his way of looking at things! He says to everyone who works with him... you have ownership of your decisions and I (we) expect you to be empowered to make them. He goes on to say, if you screw up, we are not going to lynch you - at least not the first time.
I believe most companies today are reluctant to empower their employees in this fashion. They are so bent on control that they take all the decision making out of the hands where it should be at. Instead ill informed, out of the picture managers make calls that they simply should not. As a result employees have learned that 'project ownership' and 'accountability' are not requirements for advancement and in fact, the less responsibly one takes on, the more likely they are to be promoted. (Remember the focus is on the trouble making decision makers who stand up and say 'yeah, I did that'. These same people are the ones that take the shit when it hits the fan.... everyone else sits back and looks perfect.) Basically, it sucks and it is a poor way to grow a company.
In the meantime, what can you (and I for that matter) do about it? Well, I think 'we' just keep doing. Face it, there are always going to be good workers and bad workers, shit disturbers and story tellers, there will be those who look to find fault so that they can mask their own shortcomings. There are those who only speak up when the boss comes around. Perhaps by taking ownership and leading by example, 'we' 
can effect change.
Thankfully for me, this is a contract assignment. A terrific and fascinating opportunity which in a few months will be reduced to something people either applaud or heckle. I'll go back to doing what I thoroughly enjoy, the group I'm with will continue to do as they always have.
If I can have one accomplishment throughout this task, it would be to allow this team to see that there are great rewards in taking ownershiprather than allowing it to pass them by. In the meantime, I'll continue to threaten to poke my eyes out with a fork and keep doing what I've always done.... charge through.
I know you all have work place comments you are dying to share.... come on.... join our discuss on this topic. Honestly, you won't be needing to applogize to me!
Have a wonderful Hot Cherry Day.... smile, smile, smile
