1.  Jump to conclusions
2.  Nitpick and argue
3.  Make sure you assign blame when there’s a problem
4.  Ignore suggestions
5.  Talk behind people’s backs

If you’re like most people you’re thinking about other folks who do these things. But what if I placed a 0 - 10 scale under each one and asked you to grade yourself. You know, the type of self-assessment when absolutely no one else knows what score you give yourself? Could you truly mark each at zero?

Most of us would probably score pretty well, but I know I wouldn’t score zero on all five. There are times when I’m just too hurried, or too focused, or too whatever, and not thinking clearly.

Someone makes a suggestion for improvement but my mind is focused on what I need for that meeting 30 minutes from now. I say “okay, I’ll think about it,” but five seconds later it’s five feet behind me … and I absentmindedly leave it there.

Was I well-intended? Sure, but too ramped up to engage any discipline to handle it correctly.

A slower-talking person is making a point. I jump in to summarize the person’s conclusions before all the points have been made—and my summary is way off the mark.

Instant brakes. Reverse gear. Swallow my pride (and a piece of humble pie) as I slow down to genuinely listen, like I should have been doing in the first place.

My point is I think everybody slips up, no matter how well intended they may be. I don’t think we can ever rest on our laurels and say “we’ve arrived.” Heck, even Rolls-Royce sells tune-up kits.

It’s probably fair to say that workplace excellence requires a commitment. And I believe the best way to act on that commitment is to start within ourselves.

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Filed in Business, Opinion, Motivation, Management, Leadership, Team Building