Talk about things going wrong! How many of us have experienced flight delays and cancellations due to storms? This winter season and early spring have certainly tested my frustration level. As I wrote this I was on a plane for Orlando but we were diverted to Tampa for refueling due to weather. The question then was whether we would get refueled and off the ground in Tampa before the weather closed that airport.
Sound familiar? It’s a problem and there doesn’t seem to be a lot I can do to solve it. But there is something I can do to make the situation better. First, I need to keep things in perspective. I realized that at some point I would arrive at my destination. Dealing with the detours and delays really becomes just another task to insure that I reach my goal.
Second, I need to keep my sense of humor. Getting angry would not have cleared up the weather any faster than what Mother Nature had intended and humor helps me keep things in perspective. How does that relate to the problems that continue to plague your organization? Many times the problems you’re facing are very serious and require difficult decisions to be made. There’s nothing funny about having to discipline or even fire someone. But the point about keeping the anger in check and maintaining a perspective needs to be emphasized. When did losing your temper ever solve anything? Keeping things in perspective helps establish needed priorities. Working hard to accomplish the tasks is easier with the help of a problem solver. Who better to vent your anger and frustration on than with someone whose only agenda is helping you solve those persistent problems? I won’t take it personally.