Thursday, July 18, 2013

knickers in a knot

Our director actually reminded folks to not get their knickers in a knot as we transition into this new department structure. Easier said than done for many of the folks. Had a few interesting conversations yesterday with people more directly impacted by this change than our department. Knickers are knotting. Guess that is the best way to say it.

In the long run, stuff will sort itself out. It always does, one way or another. The complainers will always complain, but they will get use to the new order of things. Everyone else will deal with the changes and move on with only minor grumbling.

Perspective is an amazing thing. We had a phone interview yesterday with a newly elected executive board person. When asked about a big challenge facing the group, she mentioned an upcoming national organizational change and felt that the membership was having a problem with it. Really? My boss and I exchanged puzzled glances. The leadership may be having a problem with this change, but the folks in the trenches, our take is that they could care less. It makes no difference to them.  It is all perspective. She is super focused on this event. The rest of the world, not so much.

So while those she has to deal with may have some knots to work out, the folks who elected her, I think they are leaving that mess to her to solve.

Sometimes you can walk away from the knots. Sometimes you need to sit down and work it out. Sometimes stuff works out on its own with little direct effort.

The trick is knowing what approach to take. I'm trying to keep that in mind when I feel a knot coming on!



No comments: