MaXIMIze - Business Karma

Events at work over the last few weeks reminded me that, sometimes, not everyone is looking out for the mission first.

One of our mottos, if you will, is People First, Mission Always. And so it should be in any organization. The organization was created to propel a certain mission forward, and if it has the right people in the right positions, it will succeed in doing so.

A good or great organization is capable of not only ensuring the mission gets done within whatever parameters have been set for it, but also the organization grows the people working on said mission.

That being said, the people have the biggest impact to the success or failure of the organization.

I have been blessed to work in a part of our organization that has a very strong sense of purpose. We have a project - a large project - to complete by a certain date and within a certain scope and budget. Our supervisors have the savvy to be able to balance ensuring our people are growing in their jobs and ensuring our project moves along and is completed within the parameters set for it.

Because we are all focused on this goal, we are in alignment and our course is, while not perfect, at least smoother than it appears in other areas of our overall organization.

In other areas of our organization there has been a lot of change recently, and that has shown the sordid underbelly of some of our organization's issues.

People don't like change. That's a given. However, change happens, and you can either help drive the change or let the change drive you, or drag you along kicking and screaming with it - your choice.

One message that came through loud and clear recently is that how our higher ups in the organization - our leaders, nominal and actual - communicate about something or someone very much affects the organization.

Our goal is the mission. Yes, taking care of people is another one of our mottos or slogans, however, the goal is the mission. People First, Mission Always. And how we perceive and react to our environment and the changes therein affects the capability to complete the mission.

Counteracting the poison of negativity and negative energy can be very difficult, particularly when dealing with adult children that other people raised.

Couple that with me-ism - what's in it for ME, how can I benefit, where do I want to go - and it is a very toxic combination/situation.

There is no I in team - and at work, we are a team focused on a goal. So, when our personal mission and goals are not aligned with the organization's mission and goals, perhaps it is time to find a new organization to work for - or to really examine why you are where you are and how, within the framework of supporting the organization's mission and goals, you can get where it is you want to be.

If you focus on the we, you will take care of the me.

So, before you complain about something or someone, think through the possible repercussions to the organization and to yourself. Are you really helping the situation and the organization in a positive manner, or are you just adding unnecessary venom to the situation?

Think about the good of the whole, not just yourself or your small piece of the organization.

And remember, your perception is just that - your perception - it is not necessarily the Reality of the situation.

Until next time, Namaste!
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Questions? Comments? Feel free to post them here, or e-mail me at the address below.
Beth Henderson, MaXIMIzer
maximize.beth@gmail.com