We don’t innovate here
We don’t innovate here. Hearing those words changed my entire work outlook. Those words also sent a meeting off the rails and into the back corner to be dusted off later. It’s not something you expect to hear someone say. Why would you? Companies are supposed to be forward thinking and reaching towards the edge right?
So why was I sitting in a meeting that those very words were uttered in? To be honest I don’t know any longer. I sat in that meeting and listened to the opinions and discussions going on while quietly formulating my own opinions to bring up. See I don’t like to speak until I know what my stance in on something. This ability was a hard lesson to learn because well I tend to fly off the cuff sometimes and the outcome is never what I had intended it to be.
Back to this meeting where things changed forever. We don’t innovate here kept playing over and over in my head for a few seconds. Did I hear that right? Was a management level person really saying those words to their team? I must have heard it wrong right? Was I in the right meeting?
Nope, we don’t innovate here, was exactly what I had heard and yes I was in the right meeting. It was at that point my own ideas and opinions went back into the deep dark life sucking regions of my head. You know that feeling you get when you go from inside to outside of a building in winter that pushing or sucking of your being in or out of a building?
That’s exactly how I was feeling. I can say I physically felt myself withdraw for that meeting. I can also tell you I could feel myself mentally withdraw from that meeting as well.
We don’t innovate here, was the worst thing to say to a team that was seeing their moral drained from their souls for the previous 6 to 9 months and it was said at the worst possible time.
Traits for Leaders:
- Decisiveness – Make good decisions without delay! This is one of my pet peeves. Far too often people sit on their hands and think over a decision. This causes a ripple effect and slows the rest of the company down.
- Enthusiasm – Have a sincere interest & exuberance in what you do.
- Initiative – Don’t wait for orders Take charge! Prompt action when meeting new or unexpected situations.
- Integrity – Be honest and truthful about what you say and do.
- Justice – Be fair and consistent in your leadership practices. Favoritism will rip a team or company apart with time.
As a leader you are supposed to lead. You are supposed to inspire. You are supposed to be looked upon as what others are striving to become. Becoming a ‘yes’ man or woman is the last thing a leader should become. If you find yourself shying away from a challenge as a leader ask yourself if you are fit to lead your group.