“My Job Isn’t To Fix People!”

I heard this statement from a coaching client the other day. I completely understand where he is coming from, however, I have to disagree a bit.

Let’s say your job as the leader or boss is to make sure everyone shows up to work on time, do their tasks, and generally get along with their team members, maybe attend the staff meetings and every once in a while you want them to give you a good idea about the work. Sound fair?

As Maxwell Maltz says, "All your actions, feelings, behaviors, and abilities align with your self-image."

All those things on the above list you want your people to do must align with their self-image. Maybe you have an employee that sees themselves as a failure and that influences their work. Maybe another person shies away from crowds and never comes to those meetings.

Our tendency as bosses is to take corrective action and say something like, “Just do your job!” And in a perfect world, that would work!

However… in reality, their self-image might be holding them back from actually doing the thing you want them to do. So, in essence, it is your job to ‘fix them’, just not in the way you think.

What can we do?

• Get to know them: what are their goals, passions, ideals?
• Look for clues: they will say or do something that reveals their character and self-belief- watch and listen
• Call our the good in them: whenever you see them doing something good, make it a point to say something

If you’re interested in more information about the self-image and how it really runs the show, we are hosting a live teaching call on Tuesday, July 14 from 7-8 pm, EST. Please email me at [email protected] and I’ll send you all the log-in info.

There’s no need to FIX them, but understanding is key!