The powerful lioness

Workplace Team

Do you lead your work colleagues as subordinates or do you treat them as your team? Do you think of them as your co-workers or simply employees? Do you roar at them to get their attention and show your authority or do you gently purr but feel that you are not taken seriously ?

Who we work with, no matter where in the world,no matter the size of the team, we all have challenges to face.

How we react, how we respond and how we take control of any situation is what makes the difference.

We reap what we sow. This quote is so true in so many situations, but none more so than in the workplace. My Grandmother's words always come front and centre to my mind when dealing with different situations, I hope they will guide you too no matter your position in your team, " treat people how you would like to be treated yourself." When these words come to me, I often need to take a deep breath and re centre myself because it is not always easy to be calm in heated situations, however breathing these words certainly helps to focus on resolving the issue and not beginning the blame game.

Who do you see when you look at your team?

Team members no matter the size of the team often make me think of family, and we all know how difficult family ethos can be.

I'm sorry if you have the idea that your family is a Disney version of perfection, dig deep, i promise you that there is at least one family member that upsets the apple cart every now and then in every family.

The workplace is no different. No matter if you are facing a boardroom of suits or a workshop floor or even a site full of Engineers and Trades people they are just like your family.

Look around, who do you see? You absolutely have Dad - he is your site foreman, chairperson, supervisor, for the purpose of this dialogue, we'll call him team leader. He's in charge of organising everyone else, he keeps everyone in line and in general he does a good job, he leads with and iron hand, he's the growler, he's always stressed and carries the world on his shoulders at least this is the story he tells himself.

Next we have your uncles, they are senior management , some may be empathetic to you and treat you like the 4 year old niece they adore, others will brush past you because they consider you insignificant, they tolerate you because you are part of the family, experience gives them that power and respect at least that's how they view the world. They too roar, don't cross them, how dare you, after all you are a child, how could you possibly have anything to say that they need to hear- right ?

It's your older brother, and how annoying are they? They know everything, they have nothing to learn from anyone, they were born with superior intelligence. They do not listen even when you are talking to them and they appear to acknowledge you, nope, sorry , zero concentration, they did not hear a word that left your lips.

Dependant on the size of your family, you may have cousins in there. and they form your big brother's tag team, they back him up even when they know he's wrong, they will secretly individually come find you later to tell you he was wrong and you were right but they didn't want to offend him. sound familiar?

You may have a younger brother. He is an apprentice learning his craft. Trying to climb his way to the top of the industrial ladder, learning from everyone, do not mistake his inquisitiveness for charm, he too wants to take your place.

There may even be a sister in this team, and she will either be your best friend or your worst enemy. Your siblings (team members) will either protect her leaving you out on your perch or reject her making your job even harder. Either way you will be expected to resolve all the issues.

If you are lucky the ceo is female. maybe you are the ceo. As. the female lioness protects her cubs it is now your responsibility to be the peace maker of your family ( team). Among a list of a million and one other job titles that you have to carry.

As you walk among this team and you can now have no fear because they are your family it becomes easier and less scary to control any situation. You do not need to roar to command the room. The gentle tone of your voice is sufficient when they raise their voices, wait, listen, let them roar, there is only so long this can continue before they must take a breath, that is your que to ask if they are finished.

Eye contact is key. Looking down is body language for weakness. This is your moment to take command of your ship, to explain what is no longer going to be tolerated or to make your point clear. The time to be heard. The time to find your voice, to be confident and respected.

Do not mistake rejection of your idea as a failure on your part, it is not. It is merely a stepping stone to the result you wish to achieve. Every day is a school day, every day a stepping stone to the goal you want to achieve.

The wildes lion becomes tame in the presence of the lioness.

xx Lei