When I was young, at what should have been a time of unbridled optimism, there was nothing more dispiriting than listening to my boss speak, particularly at the monthly results' presentation.
He talked about the challenge, the opportunity, the pressure, the competition snapping at our heals, the toughness, the focus, the fun, the dedication, and all that old repetitive hogwash. And the problem was that I didn't feel any of that. I was bored stiff, being under-utilised, in a learning vacuum, and I sat in a grey cube, with a grey chair in the corner facing a window beyond which were the grey bins.
The highlight of my morning was visiting the chocolate machine, and in the afternoon having a snooze.
Then my boss would bound over to my cube, full of enthusiasm, wake me out of my stupor and give me a task that anyone with a double lobotomy could have done in 2 minutes. Crumbs off the table.
I left and joined a real company with genuine challenges.
If you're the boss and you want to create a challenging environment you need to make sure the challenge is real and that everyone can feel it. And thrive in it. And you're not just using the words to bring about a false sense of excitement. It's very transparent if that's what you're doing. Sure, you're going to have the occasional quiet periods, but make sure you're not the only one who is truly challenged. That makes you a self-important, pompous butt.
People who hear the challenge words, but don't feel the thrill for themselves are going to leave.
Comments