October 12, 2005

Question For Bosses: "Where Are You Stuck?"

We're inching ever so closer to Boss's Day!

Today's question for all you bosses out there is:

"Where are you stuck?"

This "million-dollar question" comes from Graham Alexander's new book, Tales From the Top.

Graham's thoughts:

Many of us have been conditioned to think that the harder we work, the more successful we will be. We have to challenge our inner beliefs with regard to time and work/life balance in order to make lasting changes.

My thoughts:
I think Graham presents both an interesting question and answer. This past summer I spent some time in Europe and conversed with many different travellers from around the world. (It was great!) I learned something from each new encounter--from the location of the local art gallery to a new perspective on the latest current event.

One Austrailian guy and I spoke a lot about careers and life in general. He was an experienced web-designer, photographer, animal breeder and a lot of other things. We discussed how Americans view their jobs and how many Americans are encouraged to put 60-80 hours into their careers. For some Americans, career = life.

Even now, a question asked by the Austrailian still sticks in my mind, "Is your career your life or merely part of it?"

So where does this question fit in with Graham's? Right here: are you stuck in the belief that your career should be the key focus of your life? [Enter your answer here].

******
As you know from Todd's post yesterday, Boss's Day is this Sunday, October 16. In honor of this special day, we are selling an e-book, Nine Lives of Leadership. Check it out. Stretch your mind.

Posted by Kate at October 12, 2005 2:20 PM
Comments

"Play your job as if your life depends on it, always remembering it doesn't!"

Posted by: Graham Alexander at October 13, 2005 6:33 AM

I thought you might be intereted in the following additional excerpt from my book Tales from the Top:

Chapter 6
Would you do anything differently if you knew you only had a year to live?

Many top leaders have been conditioned to believe that if they only work harder and harder, they’ll be more successful. They get addicted to operating in this fashion. As a result, vital parts of their lives atrophy from neglect�family life, friendships, spirituality, recreation, and their physical bodies.
Ironically, I often find the higher up the corporate ladder the leader whom I am coaching has ascended, the more that person’s work/life balance is dangerously out of whack. If you are tempted to skip over this chapter, that should be a warning signal.
I urge you to give serious thought to the question posed in this chapter heading. I guarantee your priorities will come sharply into focus if you do. We all need reminders of what’s really important from time to time.
In Greek times, great value was put on making time for contemplation. Work was secondary. These days work is given great meaning. Indeed, I’ve yet to meet a leader who needed help spending more time on work. However, many C-suite level executives have, in a sense, resigned from their other roles in life. High performers get shackled to the adrenaline high of success that comes from work. When they run into difficulties at home, for example, the temptation is to bury themselves at the office.

Leadership Note: Make the most of living life instead of mostly living with regrets.

Posted by: Graham Alexander at October 14, 2005 4:05 AM
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