April 2008
How to Take a Punch in the Business World
Please excuse the violent metaphor for dealing with unforeseen change in the business world, but it is too good to pass up. And, for the record, I believe anyone who actually does punch someone should go to jail or time-out (depending on their age). Anyway, back to the metaphor. Taking a punch at work is when you don’t get that job or promotion that your boss said was a “done deal” or your comp plan changes (and not for the better). Or your company is sold or suddenly relocated to the other side of the country. You get the idea.
What Do You Do When You are Hit?
Well, punching back certainly comes to mind, and if we are staying with the metaphor then you have to actually get back up first. How and what you do next is largely up to you and can dramatically affect your future at work and home. Here are a few tips to consider when that gut-wrenching e-mail, meeting or rumor comes your way:
First: Do nothing. That’s right. Do nothing at all. Don’t send the e-mail, the announcement, the letter. Don’t have that conversation. Just take it in. Do nothing. You need a day to think about this. If you don’t have a day, take an hour or even a minute. Take a walk. But do nothing with your first impulse.
Second: De-personalize the situation. While this dramatically affects you; it is not necessarily about you. Chances are this change is part of a much bigger issue that you may not have the details about—and likely never will. Try and imagine what those issues might be. Your next move will be a lot smarter, more tactical and strategically beneficial to you if you can take your personal feelings out of the equation.
Third: Make a list of what you believe in. Not what you think or do—what you believe in. And not just work beliefs—true, deep down, life beliefs. What do you believe about adversity? About change? About integrity? Now is your chance to live by those beliefs and make your next move.
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Prepared exclusively for clients of Brenda Abdilla and Management Momentum
