Last week I met with a woman on our team at work. This meeting was long overdue. We have been very busy lately dealing with problems and putting out fires. This was a meeting to discuss process improvement, which seems to take a back seat when you are busy doing “the work”. I had several items that I knew that we needed to work on. None of my stuff was really dramatic. Mainly just tweaking what we were doing now.
I reviewed my items and she also shared some things that were helpful in refining our processes. After we completed our review, she turned to me and said, “I have a couple more things that are not on the list”. Then she started to share how she felt that our on-boarding process has been poorly executed. She also shared that she felt a disconnect between the field staff and the office staff. She shared that the office didn’t have the feeling of family that we had before the recession.
Ouch! This caught me a bit off guard. I was ambushed! Yet, after considering her observations, I was in complete agreement. And, it was exactly what I needed to hear. Things are different, and not necessarily in a good way. And most disturbing- I have always championed team building. My boss calls me the cheerleader. This is what I do. And I have been seriously neglecting this role.
Isn’t it funny how we will often overlook something that is one of our strengths? Like it will just take care of itself?
We wrapped up our meeting and I realized that the process improvement stuff was really minor compared to the things she shared. I was very grateful that she had the courage to call me out on these items. It was exactly what I needed. A wake up call. A reminder to refocus. Get back to what I do that really matters. Get back to serving and quit worrying about “feeding the beast”.
The reality is that problems will come and go. They rarely make a lasting impression in your life. What really matters is the story that you are writing as you touch the lives of others. It’s so easy to let the activities of life cloud your focus. Every so often it’s good to stop and assess where your at and where you are focussing your efforts. If you ignore what is good, healthy, and lasting- be prepared. You are likely to get ambushed!
What do you think? Have you been “ambushed” before? Click on “Leave a comment” and tell me what you think!
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Leading by Serving 
One response to “Ambushed!”
Great article! I bet she knew you were the cheerleader and so, she felt comfortable talking to you about these things! I love it when others are transparent with my failings – instead of getting angry or playing the blame game it gives you time to re-evaluate yourself, your beliefs, your convictions and your character – and bring you back to the place that stirs us to grow and mature into the people that God has called us to be! I love to hear others feedback as it let’s us balance and learn as we take in others perspectives! Love it!
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