Convenient Solitude
This post was published in 2011, but the sentiments still apply today. See if you can begin your week by paying attention to the needs of others! **********************************
"While I was missing my childhood, my brother and my prime - you enjoyed the convenience of my solitude."
I've always found Edwin McCain's lyrics to be haunting, but in a good way.
If it's possible to like the feeling of conviction, to enjoy having someone get into your brain through music and slap you upside the head,this one lyric does it for me.
All around me, but particularly in my largely anonymous work world, I see people who have dragged themselves to the office who are searching for encouragement or for recognition of their contribution.
However, under the culture of professionalism, they don't wear their hearts on their sleeves. They don't complain (much) and they certainly don't expect me to solve their problems. So they sit in meetings with me, we trade emails, we exchange niceties while we skim across the surface of life. And much of the time I enjoy when they just let me get on with my day. I am driven by efficiency and want to move through my task list as quickly as possible.
I enjoy the convenience of their solitude.
Unfortunately there's a problem with my perspective; it's a lousy way to lead people.
People bring their entire person with them to the office. Whatever impacts the pep in their step, as their leader I need to be available to meet them wherever they are. Most of the time, I realize what they really want is to do a good job with their time at the office. They want to know if anyone recognizes their thoughts. They want to hear that their work matters. And so I'm making efforts...
To slow down.
To see people.
Not to be content when I notice someone has burrowed down into a rabbit hole.