Todd Smith’s last blog post…She She Shoes – Should Women’s Footwear Be Artwork?

I think we already are leaders – all of us are, out here – on the cutting edge. If we’re not leaders in our current “work”, it’s just because we haven’t matched ourselves to the right sort of thing – yet.

Brett Legree’s last blog post…viking fridays – a story of give and take.

You still have smoke breaks in CAN?

Todd,

Do take a look at Are You a Manager or a Leader? Why Pushing Change Always Fails, which I also linked to someplace above here in the comments, for my thoughts on how management can lead staff to change.

Brett, Friar,

One day you two will rule the world. And when you do, it will be as leaders, my dear friends.

Later,

Kelly

James Chartrand – Men with Pens’s last blog post…The Big Secrets No One Talks About

Thank God, too.

Because where would silly people like me be?….if we didnt’ have others to guide us, and help us think straight and stop grumbling?

Friar’s last blog post…How I Divorced my Old Ski Boots, and Found a New Sole-Mate

I’m not talking about workplaces where a few people grumble during their coffee break. I’m talking about widespread dysfunctionality, above and beyond the norm. You really don’t know what it’s like till you’ve actually been in one of these places.

As I’ve said a few times, I’ve BEEN in one of those places. For many, many years. Both as low down and high up. I know from personal insider experience.

I get where you’re coming from. I do. I understand your feelings and I’m certainly not about to start preaching (I hope) to you. But I do hope to make you think a bit instead of just sitting back and grumbling, dude. You’re better than that.

James Chartrand – Men with Pens’s last blog post…The Big Secrets No One Talks About

With all due respect, it’s easy to say, if you’re not working in a toxic dysfunctional company.

I’m not talking about workplaces where a few people grumble during their coffee break. I’m talking about widespread dysfunctionality, above and beyond the norm. You really don’t know what it’s like till you’ve actually been in one of these places.

I won’t even get into all the details here, but I’m sorry, there ARE times when it IS the managers fault. 100%. And I won’t apologize for them.

They’re they leaders. They’re the ones that are supposed to run the show. They get paid the big bucks to make things run smoothly.

If a company fails…it’s THEIR fault. Not the workers. (If any workers WERE a problem, it’s the managers responsibility to fire them).

But if there’s bad leadership, and nothing’s done, eventually, a company gets to the point where it’s in a chronic death spiral..sinking fast.

As for taking control, the only thing we can do is to jump ship before we get sucked under.

Not saying it’s impossible. But it IS easier said than done. Depending on your line of work, it can take 6-12 months (or more) to find another decent job, that will pay your mortgage and/or support your kids.

That’s why people get frustrated…in the mean time, they might watch the clock, and bide their time. And I dont’ blame them one bit.

Friar’s last blog post…How I Divorced my Old Ski Boots, and Found a New Sole-Mate

Like I said, those at the top have more weight behind their words and actions.

One disgruntled employee on the line can cause some mayhem. So can a senior VP, with a mere pen stroke.

I know of a major project (not naming names, but it is where I work) where many people did their best to shanghai things – over several years – but the people at the top kept on forging ahead. With enough money and effort, it likely would have succeeded. Then, a new CEO took the reins. He took a look at it, and poof – gone, cancelled with a word.

If you don’t believe that people in power have more, err, power than the average man on the street…

I’m not saying it can’t be done – just that if I, for instance, wanted to change (say) Canada’s position on the war in the Middle East, it would be a really long and tough fight for me. The PM could pretty much just do it (ignoring the repercussions from other nations, of course).

See what I mean?

I’m not blaming other people, however – because you are right. Take control of your lives and actions.

If we can’t effect the changes we want where we are, it is up to us to then change where we are – change ourselves – change our situations.

Sometimes that means going and doing something else. Sometimes that is how great, new things are born.

Brett Legree’s last blog post…viking fridays – a story of give and take.