Denny Hamlin (part of Joe Gibbs' racing team) won the race and how they handled the situation tops this week's Career Makers Roundup.
Friday Career Makers: How to handle a "win" at work, apologize for "over-celebrating" and
So grab that cup of Joe, sit by the window and enjoy the snow (or if you aren't in the South - take 5 minutes) and catch up on how these situations can help you better manage your career.
Lesson 1: How You Celebrate a "Win" Is More Important Than Actually Winning
The issue: As Ryan's car was upside down, engulfed in flames, Denny Hamlin was doing doughnuts. He had won the Daytona 500 - NASCAR's biggest racing event. But at that moment, the celebration looked insensitive and ill-conceived. As information of the severity of the crash spread,the celebration died down and turned to prayer. Denny Hamlin's post race interview was more muted and respectful.
What this means: Running up and down the hallways at work after closing an account could be overkill. So could standing on your chair and screaming "I got the client and you didn't". But that doesn't mean companies shouldn't celebrate wins. Posting online, sending email blasts, and being publicly recognized by your manager are all acceptable. Wins are short-term. Losses happen in between. Remember to accept your win politely, pat yourself on the back (quietly) and stay focused on the next challenge.
Lesson 2: How You Handle Potentially Bad "Press" Defines Leadership (and Is Critical To Maintaining Your Reputation)
The issue: It appeared as though Joe Gibbs' racing team did not care about the wreck and were more focused on their momentous win. But that wasn't true. Joe Gibbs later apologized, explaining he did not know what happened right away. As soon as they did, his team communicated with Denny and they changed their tone immediately.
What this means: Optics are important. Most people know Joe Gibbs is an outstanding leader, genuine and thoughtful person. They wouldn't have tarnished him for life because his team over-celebrated at first. But that isn't Joe Gibbs. He is a leader and wants to set the tone for his team and for NASAR. So he publicly apologized. If you think you overreacted to a "win" or any situation, apologize. And quickly. If you do, the issue becomes a "nonissue" almost immediately, the gossip and rumor mill grind to a halt and you are considered more of a leader than the day before.
Lesson 3: As the Boss/Manager, Set the Tone for How People Celebrate Each Other In Your Company
The issue: Culture is everything. And that is becoming more mainstream, as people leave companies for a better work environment. Better means work/life balance, collaboration, positive environments and a shared focus on the company's goals. Most of my clients cite culture as the #1 important factor in their decision to move or in what they are looking for in the next company. You don't have stay somewhere and be miserable, constantly competing for wins and not knowing whether you did something right or not.
What this means: Culture = leadership. Leadership = culture. If you want your people to celebrate in a positive manner that recognizes everyone on the team, get the group together, recognize the win and thank the team.
Wins don't have to be huge. And they can be personal wins too. If you manage someone that mastered a new skill or achieved a personal goal, celebrate it. Bring them a cup of coffee, take them to lunch, take time out of your day to congratulate him/her or send an email to the group acknowledging the achievement.
Remember that you need to walk the talk. If you leave at 5, so will your people. If you work 24/7, your people will feel the need to work 24/7. If you take the day off but are on email all day pinging everyone, your people won't see a boundary between their personal and professional lives.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
1. Celebrate your wins appropriately
2. If you "over-celebrated", apologize publicly and move on
3. Set the tone for how your company recognizes each other to create a positive environment
No comments:
Post a Comment