I created Living ROI as a passion, to share my experiences and support others who want to live more authentic, joyful and fulfilling lives.
Dear Friends,
Have you ever been yelled at during work? Or publicly humiliated in a meeting? Are you ever afraid to take a vacation or take a day off because your job may be threatened, or you will be looked upon negatively by your boss and/or co-workers? Do you know anyone who has been laid off and “walked out” of the office by security with no notice, despite being a dedicated employee?
If you said yes to one or more of these questions, you’re not alone! Most people have experienced situations like this during their work life. I call it management by fear—and it’s ugly.
During more than 20 years of consulting with large organizations on communications during times of change, I have seen some bad decisions and behavior regarding how people are treated—some of it sanctioned and directed from the top. In most cases, well-meaning leaders and managers are doing what they have seen done before them and intending to protect the company in fear that employees may take advantage of it.
I know a 60-year-old man who had a job he was excited about. He had only been at this company for six months, after being at his previous employer for more than ten years. This man was a professional who had been in the workforce for forty years. He was experienced, trustworthy and dedicated. One day the HR manager came into his office and let him know he was being let go, then and there. She showed him documentation that he had not seen nor heard about previously. There was a security guard outside of the office and he had 15 minutes to put his personal stuff in a box and leave.
This sounds like an extreme example, but it’s not. Some version of it happens all the time. This man was devastated. His world was rocked. Not only did he need to find another job, he also needed to rebuild his confidence and his sense of worth.
Inevitably he was not a good fit for this organization, but the way he was treated was harmful not only to the man, but also to the company. Other employees who saw it or heard about it got concerned that it could happen to them. Need I say more?
There is a lingering and false belief that to get the most out of employees you need to create stress—a belief that people need to feel a little on edge. One implication is, “There are other people who could do this job.” This fear-based management style is different than a healthy dose of challenging opportunities, high expectations and clear accountability.
We have a gross imbalance in the workplace of the two primary forces in life – Yin and Yang. We need BOTH. “Traditional” work cultures that stem from the 20th century are primarily Yang (logical and mind-based) versus Yin (intuitive and heart-based).
These two forces can appear to be contrary to each other but are actually complimentary and interconnected. We all have both forces within us, and we need both in our world. When there is an imbalance either way, it can be toxic.
Employees need to be empowered and have flexibility and support (Yin) while also being given stretch opportunities and challenges with clear expectations and accountability (Yang).
It’s up to each of us to contribute to balancing out these forces. Here are some suggestions:
- Embrace and respect the power of a heart-based approach at work, to compliment the dominant mind-based approach.
- Tap into and trust your own intuition and “gut.”
- Take care of yourself as an example to those around you and to ensure you’re able to contribute at the highest level.
- Support your fellow team members and leaders to do the same.
Just scratching the surface on this important topic!
Barbara Fagan-Smith
CEO, ROI Communication
Chief Catalyst, Living ROI
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