Too Connected To Fly Solo
Obviously, technology has provided instant and unfettered access to each other in ways unimagined just a few years ago. It's nearly an addictive struggle not to look at your iPhone or laptop when texts or emails arrive. Admitting to the addiction is the first step to recovery.
Getting answers almost instantly, communicating with the boss, regardless of where he/she is, or where you are, and sharing work with the office may have hindered our ability or willingness to find the answers on our own, take responsibility for projects and grow as individuals and leaders.
Our connectivity has formed a culture of "group-think." Think I'm off base? Think about all of the "Just an FYI," "Wanted to run this past you first" or "CC-ing," and worse yet, "BCC-ing" our teammates in almost every communiqué we touch. In many cases, acting on your own is a political faux pas for excluding your teammates from every aspect of every decision.
I am clearly an advocate and even an evangelist of a culture of inclusion, but to a point.
When we fail to think and act on our own and accept the responsibility for doing so, we miss an opportunity to learn and grow in significant ways. When leaders fail to encourage this behavior they stifle growth. Technology and group-think have contributed to the Micro-Manager phenomenon.
As leaders, we often ask, "Why can't they think or do anything on their own?" Well, take a hard look at you and your organization's culture of "over-inclusion." I just made up that word. You may not let them think on their own.
Is your team possibly too reliant on you and each other, especially when traveling or otherwise remote? Do you contribute to this dependency? Be honest. Take this week's CEO Challenge:
As we enter the summer vacation season, demand that your leaders of ALL levels set clear objectives before they go on vacation and then turn off the laptop and iPhone. No kidding. No texts, emails, phone calls or drive-by visits. We did it in the old days when the boss went away. Baptism by fire, with clear direction will develop your next tier of leaders. Moreover, don't be a jerk when you or your leaders return.
