Healthy Confrontation

This past week was full of confrontations.

As our country prepares itself for the holiday season, feelings of gratitude, abundance, health, and togetherness permeate our consciousness, and its images flood the screens we give our attention to.

I intentionally chose to confront situations; both professionally and personally. I chose confrontation like my life depended upon it. Because it does. I, like every other human on this planet deeply desires to be seen and understood. If not understood, then respect is equally acceptable.

Healthy, intentional confrontation yields the succulent fruit of self-respect and courageous openness to opposition.

Within the workplace, a place where we dedicate so much of our most precious resource; our energy, can we really risk being unseen, misunderstood, and disrespected?

During org-wide strategic planning processes, many unspoken views, hidden agendas, and mis-alignments will be highlighted amongst leadership and staff. Confrontation is inevitable. It is necessary and most importantly, it is nothing to be afraid of nor resist.

One of the purposes of strategic planning is to address the proverbial elephant in the room and when choosing the facilitator of this process, it is helpful to choose someone who can do so in a healthy and collaborative manner that yields the end result your organization desires most; alignment.

Backup the Business is not afraid of confrontation because we don't embody negative energy surrounding that word. We use it as a healthy tool to help YOU be seen, understood, respected, and ultimately grow your organization.

As the holidays are now upon us, should there be any anxiety surrounding togetherness (or the lack thereof), remember, confrontation doesn't have to be destructive. It can be used to build a bridge when expressed in a healthy way.

Transitions Can Feel Scary…

“It feels scary and the organization feels lost.”

My client's words rang loudly as I witnessed (and experienced) their concern repeatedly displayed at other non-profits and businesses alike. 

Organizations implementing major changes, either out of urgent need or planned execution, with little to no communication nor effective strategy to implement the changes org-wide. 

The result is staff feeling lost and unstable.

My client continued “What are we doing to keep our staff? I’m sure they feel as anxious and unsure as I am.”

And she was correct. After our initial kickoff meeting, I met with the key employees and as I suspected, there had not been an org-wide discussion to bring staff on board during this huge transition. 

Here's the thing, I get it. I’ve done that. We’re used to operating in a top-heavy environment. What management says goes and the “other staff” will catch on soon. All will be well in the end, and the initial goal will be fulfilled. But at what intangible cost? Lack of staff trust, misaligned vision, the perpetuation of unhealthy hierarchy dynamics, disgruntled employees, and more.

In today’s post-COVID society, people are becoming increasingly more concerned about their overall happiness and fulfillment. They want to know that the place they’re spending eight hours of their time each day, is a place that sees them as valuable. In a recent Gallup article, employee well-being and stability & security are essential components when choosing to stay or leave an organization.

Backup the Business’ role is to be an anchor during times of transition and growth. 

We help organizations maintain staff involvement, collaboration, understanding, and forward movement during the transition which makes them feel seen, valued and secure, amongst other things.

Mentors and Coaches…

Mentors are the best. Coaches are the best. Healthy role models are the best.

The latter, I never had, even as a child. 

But now as an adult; albeit, a divorced single mom of three, I’ve been incredibly blessed to have coaches and mentors to help steer me along the path I desired for myself. 

A path of victorhood, not victimhood.

And within this victor consciousness, I have shattered many man-made and culture-imposed barriers to become the best version of myself. Simply because I’ve always known there’s more. 

So much more!

The past ten months have been the best (and most challenging) of my life as I stepped out to 100% do the type of work that brings me the most joy… helping businesses and non-profit organizations practically operate from the best version of themselves, internally.

Hearing the positive comments from my clients elicits an involuntary “I’m living my purpose” feeling within me. That is the feeling I want every business executive to experience.

Coaches, mentors (and dare I say, consultants) feel fulfilled when they help guide you to your personal and professional victories.

So this week, I’m celebrating (finally) the past ten months of being guided here, right now, and writing about it.