Biz Insight: Changing the environment around you as a leader
Play
Thailand's most updated English news website, newspaper english, breaking news : The Nation
WE’VE BEEN reading for years about how corporations and leaders should contribute to improving the environment, doing more “corporate social responsibility” activities and focusing on “sustainability”.
All worthy causes, but many of us feel we don’t have enough time or don’t know where to start. So, in this short article, I will share simple ways that you, as a leader, can be an effective environmentalist without leaving the office.
Let’s start by taking a short quiz about the environment around you at work.
On a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate the quality of the following environments? (10 being very positive, productive and rewarding environment for all involved; 1 “not so positive or productive; could use a lot of improvement”).
l My team or department;
l My boss;
l Other functions I work on;
l Meetings I oversee.
If you are very honest with yourself, you could easily find yourself scoring an average 5 (in my case, I think my meetings are a 3.5).
The next question is: How do we improve these environments?
Instead of directly answering that question, I would like you to shift your focus and ask a different question: What can I change about myself and how I work to improve these environments?
Learn to look in the mirror
Too often when we look at our work environment (engagement, execution, etc) we focus on what we would change in others or how the systems or processes need to be fixed. Rather, I suggest the most productive and powerful way to improve your environment as a leader is to look in the mirror.
A fun way to measure the environment you create around you is to find out if you are more of an “energy generator” or an “energy drainer”. By your words, actions and behaviours, would people working with you say you improve the environment and energy in the situation or do you “suck the life out of the room”?
To get started in creating an energised and positive environment, start measuring the frequency of the following environmentally friendly practices:
l Listen first, listen longer and listen with curiosity and not judgement;
l Ask more “what” questions and fewer “why” questions to keep conversations moving forward;
l Run meetings with clear agenda, outcomes and actions that end on time;
l Communicate with an outcome or solution in focus rather that an output/problem mindset;
l Ensure that people don’t just see the path to success, but also learn to value them personally;
l Do more than just thank people, honour and appreciate their specific contributions and talents as well.
Now, review the list above and looking back on your last few days at work, as yourself how many times did you practice any or all of these points?
I tested this with a few colleagues and the number varied from two to 11. For me, I counted eight and realised that I did not practice numbers 3, 5 and 6 enough.
I now have my own environmental impact improvement plan to boost my daily totals to 12 all the way.
Keep track at every step
To do this, I will carry this list with me and check each point off when I practice it and see if the environment around me improves. I expect that the people around me and I will enjoy work more, get more things done in less time and improve how we operate. I think it is worth trying.
Marilyn Carlson, former CEO of Carlson Companies, covered how important environment was when she said: “High-performing companies should be striving to create a great place for great people to do great work.”
Start creating that thriving and sustainable environment now.
Set your own “KPI” on the six practices and then see what happens next.
Feel free to email me and ask for your own Environmental Impact Tracking (EIT) card that you can print out and take with you.
Share it with your team and colleagues; let’s make our work an environmentally friendly place.
James Engel is the Leadership and Talent Development Business Unit leader at The APM Group and can be contacted via [email protected] or visit www.facebook.com/|apmgroupthai
