Billy is a new orange train. Thomas the Tank Engine is asked to look after him and teach him what to do. Billy thinks Thomas is bossy and ignores him. Thomas keeps trying. Everything goes wrong...
As I read this book for the 3rd time in a row, I couldn't help but draw parallels with people management. There are a couple of lessons to draw out...
Context: the Fat Controller doesn't tell Billy that he's asked Thomas to show him what to do. Thomas doesn't explain this either, nor does he explain why Billy needs to do each task. Ordering someone to do something may achieve reluctant compliance but will rarely get them fully engaged with delivering a successful overall outcome. A bit of context, whether it is around the contribution to bigger picture, impact of success, or even why something needs to be done a particular way, can achieve a lot. And may end up reminding you why you do what you do too!
Adaptability: Thomas's approach clearly wasn't working but he kept trying, following Billy around giving him instructions, and irritating him more and more. If it isn't working, don't keep doing it! It's easy as managers to get locked into one mind set ("they just don't get it / won't do it" etc) and to lose sight of the possibility that there may be another point of view. If your team aren't responding in the way you expect take a step back, and think about whether there is another way to approach it, whether this is attitudinal (coaching vs directive), language (another way to explain), or, dare I say it, that your way is not the only right way! Separating the how from the outcome may help.
And finally...when delegating something as important as the induction of a new team member, make sure the person / train you delegate to has the necessary skills to engage and involve the newbie, so that no-one ends up under the hopper covered in coal - it'll save you time and money in the long run!
Wednesday 11 March 2015
Monday 9 March 2015
Being at target and the "sneaky extra"
After I last posted, I got a bit complacent and took 4 more weeks to lose those last few pounds. However, I did it, and amongst much ceremony (including a certificate AND a badge!) became a Slimming World target member.
After the excitement wore off, and my flurry of Facebook sharing eased off, I wasn't really sure what to do next. I read through the book I was given at group but it didn't say anything concrete - understandable, as everybody needs to find their own level, and there's no specific number of syns/healthy extras etc which will guarantee maintaining the same weight, but a bit disorientating after 7 months of following the Slimming World plan pretty rigidly!
The first week, I was super-strict and ended up losing half a pound. Oops.
The second week, I relaxed rather too much, and put half a pound on. Oops again.
The third week, I stopped relaxing but found that I was already back into naughty old habits, and had discovered a new food type - on top of Healthy Extras A & B, I introduced the "Sneaky Extra". This is any type of food, other than Free foods of course, which is eaten in a small enough quantity to enable you to kid yourself you're not eating it. For me, it's bits of the toddler's tea, a nibble of cheese while cooking, a bite of toast, a tiny piece of cake, a chocolate button from the fridge...etc. Added to a rather more relaxed approach to wine and the occasional dabble with white bread, I suddenly realised how easy it would be to slide (un)gracefully out of the Slimming World habits, and pile the weight back on!
Amongst this I've been running 3 times a week (and have got to the end of week 5 of couch to 5k - definitely recommend this to follow if you're thinking about taking up running) so goodness knows what weight I'd have put on without the exercise...
So - it'll have to be an end to the Sneaky Extra. There's a reason they aren't part of Food Optimising! I shall be back onto measuring the healthy extras and counting the syns until I work out what maintains an equilibrium, and am writing it down publicly to help motivate me to recognise and lose the habit. Apologies for using you as a confessional!
As a target member in our group said on the week I hit target - you have to remember that you can't have ALL the treats. A good lesson to learn!
After the excitement wore off, and my flurry of Facebook sharing eased off, I wasn't really sure what to do next. I read through the book I was given at group but it didn't say anything concrete - understandable, as everybody needs to find their own level, and there's no specific number of syns/healthy extras etc which will guarantee maintaining the same weight, but a bit disorientating after 7 months of following the Slimming World plan pretty rigidly!
The first week, I was super-strict and ended up losing half a pound. Oops.
The second week, I relaxed rather too much, and put half a pound on. Oops again.
The third week, I stopped relaxing but found that I was already back into naughty old habits, and had discovered a new food type - on top of Healthy Extras A & B, I introduced the "Sneaky Extra". This is any type of food, other than Free foods of course, which is eaten in a small enough quantity to enable you to kid yourself you're not eating it. For me, it's bits of the toddler's tea, a nibble of cheese while cooking, a bite of toast, a tiny piece of cake, a chocolate button from the fridge...etc. Added to a rather more relaxed approach to wine and the occasional dabble with white bread, I suddenly realised how easy it would be to slide (un)gracefully out of the Slimming World habits, and pile the weight back on!
Amongst this I've been running 3 times a week (and have got to the end of week 5 of couch to 5k - definitely recommend this to follow if you're thinking about taking up running) so goodness knows what weight I'd have put on without the exercise...
So - it'll have to be an end to the Sneaky Extra. There's a reason they aren't part of Food Optimising! I shall be back onto measuring the healthy extras and counting the syns until I work out what maintains an equilibrium, and am writing it down publicly to help motivate me to recognise and lose the habit. Apologies for using you as a confessional!
As a target member in our group said on the week I hit target - you have to remember that you can't have ALL the treats. A good lesson to learn!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)