Rolling with the Punches: Coping with and withstanding adversity by being flexible. The Urban Dictionary.
Several years ago, I asked a client for some feedback. I had trained most of his senior team around the world and six months later, I wanted to know what had changed.
His first reaction was to focus on how noticeable it was those of his team who had not done the training. “They are now looking distinctly wet behind the ears, naïve in the face of the usual cut and thrust of organisational life!”
He went on to explain that those I had worked with were demonstrating a level of maturity that allowed them to engage far more effectively with their stakeholders. They had developed bearing and gravitas, a level of sophistication not evident in those who had missed the training. To quote my client “they’re able to roll with the punches.”
The reason for sharing this is to challenge you with to consider…
Are you looking immature or naïve to your senior level stakeholders?
I’m sure we could debate what that might look like, but some of the behaviours that spring to my mind include:
- If someone plays a political game on you, do you get overly emotional about it?
- Do you moan and groan a lot to others that this is not the way we should do things round here?
- Have you complained (or whined!) to your boss recently about the behaviour of a colleague or peer?
- In the last few weeks, have you engaged in idle gossip, especially about people you don’t like?
- Have you decided not to engage with people you don’t like?
- Are you actively trying to manipulate a situation, or people, to suit your purpose?
- Be honest, have you recently told lies, if only by omission, or evaded difficult questions?
- Are you carrying a grudge about someone, perhaps who out-manoeuvred you a while back?
You can think of other examples of immature behaviour to reflect on – well, maybe just look to a few of your colleagues! Sorry, was that a little immature of me?!
But seriously, be honest with yourself, because while we can argue about the merits of different behaviours, the important thing you need to consider is what impression you are creating further up the line because of the behaviours you exhibit.
Colin Gautrey
Provocative Coach/Mentor | Specialism: Impact and Influence
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