Are you fixed on your calendar, priorities, or your people?
Have you ever had one of those bosses who kept a calendar but never really followed it? I had a meeting set up once to meet the CEO of a large company following my retirement. His name was Chip. When I arrived at his large company, while having lunch with one of his leaders, I learned that I was 'Chip'd' meaning our meeting was canceled. I wasn't given a reason but nobody was surprised. It bothered me when I received the news. I thought, "how rude and inconsiderate." But deep down I actually understood. Chip was known as a very people-centric person. His company was high-performing with a great reputation for caring for its people and creating a great work environment - part of the reason I wanted to meet him. I certainly did not give Chip a pass. I would not have done that to someone, especially from outside my organization who made time to meet with me but I partially understood.
I've had several bosses over the years who, while they had a calendar, knew better than to abide by it 100%. When they found opportunities to engage with their people, influence a stakeholder such as an external leader or organization, or just spend a little extra time with a subordinate and or his or her family member, they took it. It may have disrupted the organization a bit but they knew better. They did live by a calendar - for some I was the one who created it, but they saw their role outside the hour by hour blocks of the day.
This brings us back to priorities. I live by them as a leader. In a small company I run, I have this meeting we hold weekly which is very important to me. It is where I gain the information I need to lead the organization. However, customers are a priority and I won't step away from that to host my meeting. While we try to arrange our schedule to run our meeting, if our customers need us, we will be there. It doesn't assuage my anger when the meeting must be postponed or canceled, but either I and my team live by a set of priorities, or we don't.
Keeping a calendar and a 'battle rhythm' (reoccurring daily and weekly events such as meetings and formal reports) is important. Honoring people's time is also important and polite. It is, however, a leader's job to see beyond the dried ink of a calendar and know their role. Sometimes, leaders must shift from a rigid schedule to seize opportunities to invest in their people and promote their organization. I hope that is what Chip was doing when he canceled our meeting.
Who or what might you Chip and do you have it right?
Make it Personal!
Rob
Rob Campbell