Do you ever feel like you hit a wall with your work? Let me explain what I mean with an example.
This week through some of the work I do on committees, which is all voluntary, I have been trying to implement some things that although simple require time and attention to detail. In order to fulfil my role I needed some information from other people so with permission to seek this, I reached out. Even with the chairpersons blessing sadly it seems without further committee consultation I can’t have the required information to do my bit.
Despite this being the time that I can fit into my schedule, it appears that it is not to be. I accept I might not be the only one with the expertise to do this task. However, It hasn’t up until this point been done and I am the only one offering!
Do you ever hit scenarios like this in your own business, with businesses you work for or consult for? How do you handle it? I know consultants who have sacked clients over their inability to provide timely details and responses.
With the example I’ve gone back to the person who is in charge and explained why I can’t do the part that I’ve been authorised to do and to confirm I’m willing to do it when others are ready.
I have to say this is a bit of a learning curve for me because were this in my own business I wouldn’t tolerate another meeting that could’ve been an email, and a delay in something that helps promotion and increase revenue.
I am not a multi-million pound business owner but even this has given me insights not unlike those bosses who took part in back to the floor in the late 90s early 2000’s Or more recently undercover boss which held the same premise.
As a worker I feel like my hands have been tied, and the enthusiasm I had for helping has been flattened somewhat. I am re-learning what it means to be a cog in the machine. Of course I am always a cog in the machine even in my own business the difference is the role which I’m playing.
As someone who is self-employed I am used to being able to steer the ship and put my all and in so that I can achieve whatever it is that I’m working towards.
As the boss, as the leader I don’t expect everyone to put in the hours I do or share in the same pressures. Those are the constraints I have put myself under by being self-employed. I choose people around me who are enthusiastic who know their strengths and weaknesses and know how to deal with structure and schedule, and how to change and be flexible as the business requires.
In the meantime I’m going to double down my efforts to get other things done elsewherein my life so that when it is time to finally get on with this I will be able to give it my all.
It’s not been a complete loss! After all, I have written a blog about it and it is encouraged me to look at my style of leadership to make sure that everyone understands their roles and responsibilities so that snags like this aren’t caused arbitrarily by one person. It also reminds me to have a sympathetic ear for those who might be feeling caught up in something not of their own making or who simply feel they have more to offer and are being stifled by procedure.
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