By Olubunmi Adebayo
One of the critical elements of human nature, is that we try to gain influence over our environment.
Man’s nature of trying to gain influence over his environment includes acquiring control over people within the circumference (ie, space) of his activities.
In trying to gain control over people, we make efforts to change them.
Our trying to change people, is in order to get positive results for our life activities.
But in trying to change people in our environment, we enter into needles disagreements, and sometimes conflicts with them.
But there is a line of reflection for our thinking today – after all known efforts might have failed in trying to influence and change others within our space, you are advised to move to the next level of influence – try and change your very self.
Please read through this account of a noted manager of men, money and materials :
“After I was transferred from Technical Department to Production Department as a Shift Manager in our factory”.
“I observed for the first few months, that my shift was consistently coming last in output and efficiency assessments”.
“I tried all I knew, and after some time concluded that the men were simply impossible. I then approached my Big Boss to say he had to reshuffle the teams”.
“But my Boss said something I will never forget. He said, ‘if those people are the only staff available in the whole wide world,what would you do?’
“I thought he was being insensitive to my honest plea, but I went home to reflect on what he said”.
“After my soul searching thoughts, I decided to love the guys and engage with them closely, personally and individually”.
“I attended their children’s naming ceremonies and other family social functions when possible. And the result? Things worked”.
“Within the next three months, we climbed progressively to the top of the chart and remained there till I left the department”.
Learnable lesson for all : “operate the principle of you changing, instead of you insisting that the people you are working with should change”.
Please reflect on this ingenious suggestion. It may be the solution you have been yearning for your own corporate progress and success in life.
Top of the day to you 👍
©️ Olubunmi S Adebayo.
