1 min readA Tale of Two Calls
by Guy Gage | September 18, 2017 | Business
Recently, I conducted two coaching calls that couldn’t be more different—best and worst. The first call was from a manager who was of the opinion that the partners’ expectations of him were beyond reasonable. He said he spent so much time cleaning up their messes, training staff who couldn’t get it and taking on so many different jobs, that serving clients and meeting his goals took a hit. How was he supposed to do all that and still succeed? While he may have faced adversarial conditions, it sounded like a bit of a tale.
My second call was the complete opposite. This manager lamented her performance the past year. She seemed to be genuinely disappointed in how she did. She didn’t need a partner to explain how she had underperformed. She knew it herself and she didn’t like it. But unlike my first call, she refused to be the victim.
• She could have blamed it on the fact that she didn’t have the greatest clients to work with. It was true.
• She could have acknowledged that she had very few staff to work with, and barely capable. It was true.
• She could have suggested that her partners were remiss in setting her up to succeed in a couple of other ways. It was true.
But instead, she said, “I didn’t perform my best this past year.” WHAT!? Did she really say that? Holy smokes. Someone took responsibility for herself and her performance, even in the midst of adversity. Unbelievable. And a better tale.
It was clear to me that, this time next year, only one of those calls will be significantly different and the other will be essentially the same. The reason is that the situation isn’t going to adjust to the liking of the manager. It’s the manager who will have to adjust to the situation. Firm leaders are much more considerate to adjust for people who assume responsibility.
This week, don’t settle for your situation to determine your performance. Commit to do what is necessary to succeed. Earn the understanding of your leaders to find better ways to succeed.
Read Related Blogs:
Thank You For Your Business
What We Say If it wasn’t for your clients, you wouldn’t have a job. But you do have clients who value your work and relationships enough to pay you. That’s why on your website, your invoices, your emails and even in your calls, you find ways of saying Thank You For...
Struggle Or Learn
The Struggle Why can't life be easier? Why won't people just do what they are supposed to do? Why don't things go the way they were planned? Why does everything have to be a struggle? We all say these things when we are frustrated and, well,,,struggling. What Struggle...
Keep Your Oar In The Water
You’re On The Team One of the great analogies that aptly describes a professional service firm is that of a crew boat. If you are on the team, you must keep your oar in the water or else you are simply cargo being carried along by the others who are furiously rowing...
