Managing your team? Piece of cake. Managing up? Slightly more complicated. Managing sideways? Diplomatic tightrope act. But you can make an impact with your peers – if your intentions are good and your execution includes understanding and compassion.
Consider Tom’s conundrum. As vice president of international relations for a small technology company, he was concerned about an ongoing conflict between two employees – an engineer and a builder. In order to ensure clear communication between these two teams, Tom e-mailed the VPs of each group, Jeff and David, to alert them to the problem. “Soon after, I received an e-mail from one of the problem employees saying a whole lot of nothing,” Tom recently told me. “When I looked down the thread, I saw a note from Jeff to his direct report. He had forwarded my e-mail to him with a line that said, ‘Tear em up, bulldog.’”
Tom was horrified. He’d intentionally taken the matter to Jeff because his direct report wasn’t handling the situation in the first place – and then, instead of resolving the issue like a solid manager, Jeff forwarded it to the guy and even encouraged his unprofessional behavior. “The day was then filled with angry e-mails bouncing back and forth, resulting in a huge loss in productivity,” Tom explained. “I want to talk with Jeff about this, but I don’t know what to say without pissing him off.”
“Well, what do you want to say to him?” I asked.
“Your e-mail was completely inappropriate, and here’s why!”
“What reaction do you think you’ll get?”
He considered this for a moment then said, “Not a good one.”
Washington Post Q:We all need advice as we seek success in our careers and lives. What are your five favorite business books, and why? What advice wasn`t so helpful?
A month after quitting my job in Bethesda, Md., and several attempts at finding a new, more fulfilling job, I found myself struggling to feel like I was worth anything. I went from feeling like I was on top of the world, graduating with my masters degree at the top of my class and having made a measurable difference at my university, to living in a one-bedroom apartment in Bethesda, completely alone.
At the time, I highly disliked reading, so when an acquaintance generously lent me a copy of "You Can Feel Good Again," by Richard Carlson, I reluctantly took it. Two days later, I finished the book and learned just how much power I had over my feelings. While my results did not come overnight, this book gave me the foundation for shifting my thoughts, which naturally helped to shift my feelings.
A few years later I came across "Leadership From the Inside Out," by Kevin Cashman. Between his analogies and exercises at the end of each chapter, I got a whole new understanding of my motivations and what was holding me back. Just as the title suggests, I learned that leadership begins with right here with me and the results of the work I do on myself show up in the world outside of me. My external results are always a direct manifestation of my internal monologue. Once I owned responsibility for that truth, I was able to make the shifts necessary to create the results I so desperately wanted in my life. You know, like landing the professional opportunities I wanted and attracting really great friends.
Six months prior to graduating with my master`s degree, I walked into the career counseling center at my university. There was a woman, Jackie, behind the desk next to the door, who greeted me immediately.
"Do you have a meeting?" she asked.
"A meeting? With who?" I asked.
She explained that there were career counselors on staff and I could set up a meeting, though their schedules were fairly full and I`d have to wait a while.
"Can I get in to see a counselor today?" I asked, feeling a sense of hope that maybe someone could actually help me figure this out.
"Let me check on their availability for the day," she said as she flipped around and headed down a short hall to some offices. Jackie came back accompanied by Kris, a career counselor on duty at the time.
"How can I help?" Kris asked.
"Well, I`m set to graduate with my masters in speech communication in May and I`m not entirely sure what I can do with this degree. Can you help me understand what jobs are out there and what companies might be a good fit?"
While I`m not entirely sure what Kris was really thinking. The look on her face was one of utter confusion, which, of course, spawned the following internal monologue about what Kris was thinking, "She is about to complete her master`s degree and still doesn`t know what she wants to do?"
Misti has worked her magic over the past year with my life/work TEAM and was truly the catalyst, that “spark plug” – if you will - igniting an innovative revolution in our organization. Whether talking to executives or large audiences, she connects in a way few do. She is genuine in her approach which resonates with both Boomers and Millennials. You come away with a real sense of what needs to be done. This is Misti’s gift.
Misti`s groundbreaking strategies will cut through the fog of our often distorted theories and folklore about the hopelessness of intergenerational communication as she paints memorable pictures using authentic examples while speaking with such clarity that you will remember not only the illustrations, but also how to apply those models in other circumstances.
View Original Letter TIM OVERSTREET, DML
Associate Dean of Logistics Executive Development US Army Logistics Management College
You were such an engaging facilitator at the Management Leadership Team Meeting I recently attended. Your `incredible energy and disarming manner` allowed many attending the session to open up and disclose their true feelings regarding how we could better improve relations with members outside our own age or race demographics...
William E. Sapp
Sales Center Vice President DOD/Air Force AT&T Government Solutions
Misti Burmeister is an asset for any corporation or professional organization. Her skills at intergenerational training are needed by most as the workforce changes. She engages, builds the energy and the desire to execute as a team. Her work means millions of dollars in increased workforce productivity.
Misti is as dedicated and passionate about her craft as one can be. The only thing that can possibly rival those traits is the amazing amount of energy she brings into a room. I`m constantly waiting for her to burst into flames! If your organization has a cut in its `line`, Misti is the Master Splicer you need.
A significant way that boomers can leave a lasting legacy within their organizations is to ensure that the incoming generation is full embraced, valued, engaged and utilized. Misti Burmeister provides the roadmap and the tools to make this happen!
Lori Addicks
Vice President of Learning and Development Post Properties, Inc.
Misti helped me see things and people differently. Not only did she make me see work situations as opportunities and not road blocks, she also helped me work through various aspects of my position. She taught me how to look at me differently. Through books she has asked me to read, organization skills she has helped me apply, journaling and goal setting I am learning about me. I believed in my leadership skills before but now, I know I am a great leader that has a huge amount of talent to apply to any situation/position. I am looking forward to Misti working with me in 2007 on my new expanded team. Misti will help me expand on my talents as a leader in AGS and sharpen those skills to make me more effective as months pass. Misti challenges me to be a better me in all aspects of my life which in turn makes me a more effective person overall.
Laura Miles-Bailey
Group Sales Manager, AT&T
I now can see how my focus in life was moving away from some of the things that really matter to me – family, friends, relationships, spiritual life, personal interests, etc. My schedule was controlling me instead of me controlling my schedule. By recognizing the things that matter to me most I can better balance my whole life. That makes me a more effective leader, employee, mother, wife, friend, etc.
Pat Stipe
Client Business Manager, AT&T
... I find that I am taking a more strategic approach to my business conversations both internally and externally. While I am familiar with the skills and lessons discussed in these session, I have found that as a result of my time with Misti, I am now asking questions like "what do I hope to accomplish from this conversation" prior to beginning my dialogue. This tactic alone has had a noticeable impact on my communications professionally and personally. In addition, the coaching that she has provided in the way of time management and task preparation have allow me to improve the efficiency level in my day to day activities. I would without a doubt recommend the Inspirion program as time well spent.
Paul McRae
Client Business Manager, AT&T
Misti is truly an inspirational person who challenges me to be authentic. A true coach by all definitions, full of encouragement yet willing to call your bluff. She is challenging me to be better today than yesterday and make a difference in people’s lives.
