Smarter not harder
There’s an unhealthy narrative resurfacing in our working world and that’s the need to return to the ‘old ways’ of working. Where long hours and long weekends were a sign of dedication, commitment and delivered an endless stream of productive work.
Where employees worked hard, played hard and were grateful for the job that they found themselves doing. They didn’t moan, they got on with whatever was thrown at them and hey, if leaders had to shout at them to get the best out of them, then that was necessary too.
Yet, these were never the ‘good old days’ for those of us who worked in them. They were the good old days for those that led them. These people had big salaries, big bonuses, big reputations and lived big lives and leaders that don’t have that now, want it to come back.
Unfortunately for them, you can’t unscramble the egg.
Thankfully the world is a very different place now. We rejected the Gordon Gekko ‘Greed is right. Greed works’ world and now live in a more empathetic, compassionate and supportive place.
However, the good news for leaders is that the results and reputation that they seek are all still possible. Not by making employees work harder and longer, but by intentionally creating cultures where everyone works smarter.
One where leaders understand that positive human dynamics are the way to get anything done and that they demonstrate their commitment and unity to this.
One where managers aren’t promoted based on how long they’ve been with the company, but where they show they have the ability to connect people to a vision that everyone believes in. Where they are provided with the skills to make a difference and where people aren’t afraid to come to work.
A culture where we respect the views and inputs of individuals yet still make decisions that benefit the collective and that take us that step nearer to achieving our goal.
A culture where there is discipline, commitment, equity, understanding and a desire to improve, but not through the burnout and destruction of those that work there.
A culture that wants to get the job done, not for the people telling them to do it, but for the pride that they feel in doing so and a desire to not let their teammates down.
All of this is possible. Not through a time machine back to the old days but an acceptance and commitment to the world we live in today.
The great leaders never followed the herd, they were the ones who always worked smarter, whilst they watched their peers burn themselves out working harder.
---
To help you fully understand how to intentionally build a great culture, I have written a new white paper which you can download for free (with no marketing obligations) from here or by clicking the image below.
Download my new white paper by clicking the image above.
