{"id":88,"date":"2012-10-01T15:08:40","date_gmt":"2012-10-01T23:08:40","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/encouragement.com\/blog\/?p=88"},"modified":"2012-10-01T15:08:40","modified_gmt":"2012-10-01T23:08:40","slug":"balance-takes-on-a-new-meaning","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/encouragement.com\/wordpress\/?p=88","title":{"rendered":"Balance Takes On A New Meaning"},"content":{"rendered":"

It seems the most common understanding of \u201cbalance\u201d in the workplace means managing our home life in relation to our work life. Just the thought of it holds the promise of greater happiness, and a more satisfying work\/life experience.<\/p>\n

I think most would agree achieving this kind of balance can be a struggle, and either impossible, or more likely, improbable to attain. \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

That\u2019s about the extent to which I\u2019d given the idea of balance at work, until I looked closely at the data I gathered for the High Points Survey on Leadership. Something really jumped out at me.<\/p>\n

Respondents saw \u201cbalance\u201d as being a top-10 issue. But it was surprising to see the significant number of responses that dealt with \u201chandling relationships properly,\u201d as a matter requiring a balanced approach.<\/p>\n

Consider these responses \u2026<\/p>\n

\u201cCan I lead, and relate to people? Are they mutually exclusive?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat about bridging the gap between inclusion and direction?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s the line between being a friend, and doing the job?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow do I manage tasks\/priorities while still building relationships?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow can I be empathetic without letting it overwhelm me?\u201d<\/p>\n

As I see it, managers have a huge interest in optimizing the connection between themselves and the people they lead, as they try to elicit the results their organizations expect. That\u2019s a type of balance which directly reveals leadership ability as a people skill.<\/p>\n

The balance of organizational needs and employee wants<\/strong><\/p>\n

The best managers seem to have a handle on managing relationships. They\u2019ve developed \u201ca people-reading meter.\u201d In other words, they\u2019ve mastered their capacity to relate to their workers without \u201cbecoming too close where friendships interfere with decision-making, or being too distant and failing to engage their people\u2019s hearts and minds.\u201d<\/p>\n

Not everyone reads their people meters accurately, and that\u2019s why it\u2019s essential to grow in this area. Some employees want clear direction, while others desire to see the goal and achieve it on their own. Some necessitate flexibility, while others require the leader to be firm. But who\u2019s who?<\/p>\n

When do you push hard, and when do you pull back? What\u2019s the line between delegating, and shirking your responsibilities? How can you be the boss, without being bossy? When should you speak up, and when should you hold your tongue? What situations can you accept, and which cannot be ignored? How much time do you spend in your office, and how much time do you have to interact with others? These are all relational judgment calls.<\/p>\n

One manager stated that, \u201cI focused on tasks for most of my first 20 years of work, but have evolved to spending the workday putting relationships first, and doing my tasks after others start leaving for the day. It works.\u201d<\/p>\n

Attaining high levels of quality without excessive oversight is the hallmark of leadership. To these leaders, balance means handling relationships carefully, and with exceptional skill.<\/p>\n

\u2013\u00a0Jerry Strom<\/p>\n

For more information about our leadership development programs, please visit http:\/\/www.JerryStrom.com<\/a> . Join the mailing list to receive notice of new articles automatically.<\/p>\n

This article is based on *\u2018The High Points Survey: What Managers Most Want to Know about Leadership,\u2019 copyright 2012, by Jerry Strom & Company, Inc. Download the White Paper at: http:\/\/www.jerrystrom.com\/js_high-points.html<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

It seems the most common understanding of \u201cbalance\u201d in the workplace means managing our home life in relation to our work life. Just the thought of it holds the promise of greater happiness, and a more satisfying work\/life experience. 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