Just Notice
January 28th, 2010 | 
Author: A big part of a leader`s ability to create and sustain great relationships in the workplace have to do with their ability to “just notice” other`s reactions. Jane Dutton from the University of Michigan has academically termed this “relational attentiveness” in her wonderful book, Energize Your Workplace.
Leaders who are attuned to the behavior and emotional states of those around them can make the adjustments necessary to revive an organization whose energy is low and needs some reviving to increase its effectiveness. Sagging spirits are an all-to-frequent occurance in today’s workplace.
Yet we are moving so fast, we don`t take the time to notice as we should. Look around. Are the people in your workplace connecting with each other? Are they energetic, enthusiastically diving into the challenges provide? Do they eagerly await the success they will have with new learning opportunities and stretch assignments? If not, you may have some work to do.
My experience
One of the best workplace experiences I had in my budding Human Resources career was in a role as a specialist in Corporate Compensation. This could be pretty bland (and sometimes, honestly, demoralizing) work, “sore-thumbing” job descriptions and determining the wages and bonuses of corporate officers who pocketed Christmas bonuses that were equal to many times my annual salary. (I remember someone asking me what I did in that job. I was ?€“ unusually ?€“ at a loss for words to describe it).
The manager of this business unit (perhaps a bit bored himself) would often rally the troops when our spirits sagged by encouraging some fun or arranging for us to go out to lunch. He was also a bit of a jokester himself, who allowed us to tease him, and play along, about his own failings. It allowed us to re-energize on a personal level with ourselves and with him.
The gift
This manager`s real gift was the ability to “just notice” when we needed to step out of our routine and enjoy the company of one another. He might be surprised to know that this is how I remember him and what I enjoyed ?€“ and learned ?€“ from his leadership.
His ability to react ?€“ and lead us beyond ?€“ our sagging spirits is a lesson for all leaders to “just notice”. Keep an open mind and heart in your workplace. Just notice when the energy of your team is low and requires your light touch to lift it up. Lead others with that lift and enjoy the energy it provides to you and your team!
What have you done to lift others when spirits sag?
Next week I’ll begin a new weekly feature at this site called “Thoughtful Thursday” where I will simply ask a few good old fashioned open-ended questions to make you reflect. No answers, just questions. You can choose to respond to the questions on this site – or just ponder. I’m looking forward to it.
Posted in 8 Responses to “Just Notice”
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Mary Jo, I love the idea behind this post. Coming from an education/work experience in the sciences, one of the things you learn very early on is the power of observation, of taking note of things interact with one another, and the subsequent product/result of that interaction.
You also learn to not insert yourself into the process, of leaving out your presumptions and simply relying on the data to tell the story. In this case, though, it’s our employees that we have to leave to tell the story, one which to be an effective leader we need to be receptive to see and hear.
Tanveer, I never thought about the scientist’s experience and how s/he may be a natural at observation. Yet it rings true. As does the leaving out presumptions (I call it judgment). Thanks for your thoughts, as always.
Ice cream. Really. At former employer, we had a wonderful group and our staff meetings we held offsite, once a week at Coldstone Creamery. Granted it was in southern CA and warm with no bugs but it was a great shake up, something different, something fun. It encouraged us to relax and share more broadly, not just work as usual and then back to it.
Now this isn’t feasible for all people, all places but to mix things up when spirits sag is so important! And it doesn’t have to be expensive. And it doesn’t have to be ice cream.
Hi Mary,
This is so true. I loved the jobs that I have done. But over a period of time it gets so monotonus that our spirits go down. Couple that with internal and external pressures. It really helps to have a Manager who can help us boost our spirits. This will not only help the individual but it will also help the entire team perform better.
Mary Jo,
I totally agree! It is amazing how just having a little interaction goes a long way. People like small talk and just being recognized. Combine the “just notice” “my pleasure” with a smile and you have a formula for success. Thanks for the post!
Matthew
Mary Jo,
I do have to say, working for a manager that inspires is a great boon to those that around them and can have good effects on the effectiveness of the team. On the other hand when it is taken too far you could spend an entire day dealing with the personal issues of others. It seems to me like there is a double edged sword. Is there a good way to balance it or is it more something that is learned through experience?
Ira
Mary Jo,
In one of my former jobs we were often treated with a surprise “micro party” in the office. The owner of the business would set up pastries and snacks just before break time, and share the time with us. It doesn’t cost much but certainly lifts a slow, low-morale afternoon.
I couldn’t figure out a pattern of such occurrence, but “just noticed” sure makes a lot of sense.
Kevin
Hello everyone,
Just hearing your stories, I feel energy. Your memories are wonderful and inspiring. Thanks for sharing them. And I apologize for not responding to some of you soon. My host messed up my site, and I’ve been unable to use it. It is still being worked on and I hope to get a new post up sometime today.