LEARN A LITTLE:
Driving with Your Foot on the Brake
Recently my wife and I returned home after a road trip of nearly two thousand miles via a combination of two-lane highways and expressways. The trip was enjoyable and allowed us to catch up with one another, but it also provided the opportunity for many observations along the way.
Most interesting was noticing how many drivers seem to be driving “with their foot on the brake.” As you know, this is most frustrating when you directly follow such a motorist on a two-lane road.
It seemed that the majority of these folks put their foot on the brake when they were on a curve or going down a hill. Not only that, they applied the brake every time they saw an orange construction sign, a car about to pass them going in the opposite direction or a dead deer lying on the shoulder of the highway. “Rest Stop Ahead” signs were still another reason to brake.
It’s easy to get car sick when you follow these drivers because of their constant speeding up and sudden slowing down and braking. My suspicion is that not many of them have ever been in an accident, but they may have caused a few.
We all know that stepping on the gas pedal will get us where we want to go, but there’s also the obvious risk of going too fast and getting into an accident. Constant braking, on the other hand (foot), might keep you safe, but you run the risk of not arriving at your destination on time. And remember, you don’t have to brake to slow down—you can simply let off of the gas pedal.
As I drove, I couldn’t help but think about how it would be to have such a person—one who brakes constantly –as a boss. Someone who is going through life apparently uncertain, ambivalent, afraid or risk-aversive, or perhaps some combination thereof.
Inconsistent direction is a killer for employees, as is the absence of strong decision-making or a leader’s inability to make up his or her mind and make a choice. Often, such behavior leads employees to feel unsupported and even confused about their position or mission.
I am sure that there are numerous reasons why some people drive with their foot on the brake. The reality is that all of us experience anxiety on occasion and may brake unnecessarily. The important thing is to recognize the behavior and not let it become a habit.
LAUGH A LITTLE:
REFLECT A LITTLE:
Proverbs 14:30 (NLT)
A peaceful heart leads to a healthy body; jealousy is like cancer to the bones.
READ A LITTLE:
Leading with Gratutude
Adrian Gostick & Chester Elton (2020, HarperCollins)
Leading with Gratitude, written by well-known leadership and culture experts Adrian Gostick and Chester Elton, is a 2020 publication that clearly communicates the power of gratitude in our lives, and in particular our work environments.
In the first half of the book, Gostick and Elton explain the reality in many organizations: the presence of fear, employees who don’t feel valued, the presence of negativity, unhealthy stress, etc. All of this background is subsequently captured in the chapters that follow “The Ingratitude Myths” that begin with “Fear Is the Best Motivator” and ending with “They’ll Think I’m Bogus.”
In the second half of the book, which I believe to be the most valuable portion, the authors outline the “Eight Most Powerful Gratitude Practices.” These chapters share many helpful insights and practical suggestions. Examples are:
- Whatever anybody says or does, assume positive intent.
- Empathy is a critical driver of overall manager performance.
- Look for small wins.
- The ongoing, cumulative effect of small outcomes can be significant.
- In organizations, peers have the biggest influence on employee engagement—twice as much as line managers.
What the reader will appreciate and recognize is the simplicity of the gratitude-enhancing practices, but also their impact on employee productivity. As they say, “Don’t be a gratitude tightwad.”
If you are curious about curiosity this book is for you.
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