"Click It Into Gear!
Ever wonder how two people can be in the same meeting, hear the same eaker communicate the same me age - yet once the meeting is over, each person's perception of the event is totally different?
Why the different perception? How can one individual think the meeting was terrific and leave completely i ired and motivated, yet the other person walks away believing the total o osite?
A wer: "THE CLICK" (More on this in a minute!)
Picture yourself being told that your department is about to undergo a major dow izing. (Not a pretty picture, to be sure.) You are told that an a ouncement regarding large numbers of layoffs is eminent.
Shortly, you may be out of a job! (ga !)
Stu ed? Sure you are, and the choices you make in the immediate future may change your life forever.
NOW - is when you need to "CLICK IT into gear.
Visualize "THE CLICK": Take your right hand and form a backwards "C" with your thumb and fingers. Keeping your hand in the backwards "C" position - hold your hand up to your right temple. Next, quickly make a forward ap of the wrist as you say out loud, "CLICK".
Did the light bulb just go on?
Leaders who understand the power of "The Click" - DO NOT become victims of circumstance. Rather, they identify the challenges and the o ortunities which are presented to them at the moment - whatever the adversity.
We each have the ability to choose our outcome. We may not like the choices in front of us at the time - but at least we have the ability to choose our path.
One thing is for certain - doing nothing, e ures failure.
Co ider these examples:
#1 Losing your job?
Initial Reactio : "Poor me. That's not fair! Those dirty rotten ba...uh.. scoundrels! Why me? My life is over!".. etc, etc.
OR,
CLICK! "Okay, this is interesting. I gue now I have the o ortunity to do something totally different. I could allow myself to be scared, but I choose to be excited i tead. Obviously, something greater is awaiting me just around the corner. I can't wait to get started!"
Question: Does the personal choice presented above sound crazy to you? If so, ask yourself this question Whats my alternative choice? Sure, you can become emotionally charged, react in anger or even allow yourself to sink into a deep depre ion. But what will that accomplish? Nothing co tructive, that is for certain.
The better choice is to dip into your personal reserves and be your better self.
#2 Bo just told you your department i 't meeting expectatio , and you are being placed on notice?
Initial Reactio : "He has always had it out for me. I'm next on the cho ing block. It's a co iracy! I'm going to report him to HR and the Corporate Ethics Line because I feel threatened!..etc, etc.
OR,
CLICK! "Alright, my bo just told me exactly what he expects from me. I'm going to start immediately to addre every i ue he mentioned to show him that I understand what he expects and that I am committed to not letting he, or the company, down. I may not agree with everything he said, but I re ect the position that he holds and it's my duty to su ort u er management and the company I work for. I can do this!"
As the preceding examples point out, "THE CLICK" is the result of asking yourself, "What is the most co tructive way I can look at this situation, and what action ste must I immediately take to profe ionally addre this i ue?"
Bottom line: NEVER forget the power of "THE CLICK". NEVER allow yourself to be a victim of circumstance.
I tead, utilize this all-important tool to remain the master of your own destiny.
Don't be "affected" - be EFFECTIVE.
"Don't let what you ca ot do interfere with what you can do."
- John Wooden
Richard Gorham is the founder and President of Leadership-Tools, Inc. His web site, http://www.leadership-tools.com is dedicated to providing free tools and resources for today's a iring leaders. Offering high-quality tools in the areas of Busine Pla ing, Leadership Development, Customer Service, Sales Management and Team Building.
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