Things To Never Say To Your Ringmaster

Monster.com posted a short list of things you should never say to your boss. They include:

• "I need a raise."
• "That just isn't possible."
• "I can't stand working with _____."

As the article states, it's always a good idea to think before you speak. After reading the full article, why not create your own list to remind you of how to properly communicate with anyone who can have a significant impact on the success of your circus.

Absence of the Ringmaster Makes The Heart...

There was an interesting study done by Timothy Golden of the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. In a study of over 11,000 employees, he and his team found that employees are less satisfied if their boss is a "teleworker" instead of someone more frequently physically present with them. More specifically, the research showed that employees:

• Get less feedback
• Feel less empowered
• Are less satisifed with their jobs

Even if you are a manager that is onsite with your people most of the time, it is vital to remember that they need your feedback, need to know they are trusted to make decisions and that what they do is important. You may even want to make time in your lineup on a daily or weekly basis to reflect on how you are doing on meeting the needs of those who depend on you. Be specific to each employee (or even family member) and add tasks in your lineup as needed to address any deficiencies.

After all, the last thing you want is to step into the ring and find that all your performers have left!

Have I Done Any Good?

"Do a good turn daily," is the slogan for the Boys Scouts of America. But it is also a great motto for non scouters. Sometimes we get so caught up in making "ends meet" that we become internally focused and forget to look outward. Doing good and helping others can require work and a shift in your mindset. There are opportunities to help all around us but taking the next step to act on those opportunities is sometimes the difficult part.

Some time ago, I was driving in heavy rush hour traffic. I came upon an accident that had recently occurred. I only saw one car and a young woman who was standing outside the car. It was obvious that she was very upset and I thought to myself, "I sure hope someone stops to help her." Immediately a second thought popped into my mind, "Why not me?" The thought was so powerful that I found myself pulling over to the side of the road and assisting the young woman who was a victim of a hit and run. After the highway patrol arrived, I climbed back into my car and proceeded home. I know the young woman appreciated me stopping to help. I felt good inside for stopping. I also had the thought that if that was one of my daughters, I would sure hope that someone would stop, help and comfort them.

What can you do today that with make a difference for good? What can you put in place each day as a reminder to "do your good deed"? It doesn't have to be a big thing. It could be as simple as a kind word or a smile. Create a sign to remind you. Look for the opportunity. Do it. Make it a daily habit. "Why not me?"

So, Who's Driving Anyway?

Who determines what you will become? That is a deep question. Maybe too deep for a simple blog that you are just scanning. But, stop and ask yourself who is driving your life. Are you behind the wheel or is someone else?

O.K., so maybe you are at the wheel but the car is full of backseat drivers telling you where to go and how to get there. Your boss, your spouse or significant other, the economy, your friends, teachers, parents, siblings, pastor/priest/rabbi/church leader, your email, Facebook friends, children and Dr. Phil are all encouraging or trying to influence you on how you should live your life and what to do next. It might even feel like you are no longer responsible for what you will become because the car is on auto pilot and someone else is plugging in the coordinates for you.

Remember, "you are the ringmaster of your circus." You are behind the wheel, the keys are in the ignition and the engine is running. What will you do now? It is wonderful to have people in your life that will help guide and direct you. But, at the end of the day, it is up to you to put your foot on the gas and steer yourself in the direction you choose. Make a conscious decision on where YOU are going and how YOU are going to get there.

The Tent Flap Holder

Because Juggling Elephants is a parable about the circus, we sometimes get people who see things differently. After speaking on the concept for almost 6 years, we are frequently surprised by how people bring new insights and applications to a training program.

A couple of weeks ago while working on the section entitled, "Be The Ringmaster" one participant pointed out that they didn't see themselves as the Ringmaster. Instead they saw themselves as the person who holds the tent flap open and is yelling for the acts to get in line and be ready. While it provided a good chuckle, it also brought a new perspective to what we need to do to insure the right tasks get into our schedule.

In honor of this new thought, here are some things to keep in mind if you feel more like the "tent flap holder" instead of a ringmaster:

• You can only hold the tent flap open for a period of time-and then you need a break (an intermission no less).
• Sometimes you need help holding the flaps open wide enough so the act can get into the circus (teamwork and delegation)
• If there are too many acts waiting to enter the rings, you may need to close the tent flaps to keep down the noise level and to not distract from the acts that are performing.
• Occasionally, you may have to "go get" an act that forgot to make it's way to the tent. In those instances you need to have someone else that can take your place while you are gone (cross training and succession planning).

What new analogy do you have about how the circus or its performers relate to our workplace performance or personal success? Comment on this blog or send your thoughts to info@jugglingelephants.com.