Like many of you, I spend a great deal of time in airports waiting. Waiting for security lines, food, boarding, etc. This week was one of those where the time spent waiting was significant.
Waiting at my gate for my ON TIME departure home I look up at the board and see our departure time has recently changed. My first response is to pull out my phone, access my app and check the flight status just to verify we are indeed delayed. Of course, my app confirms what I already know, we are going to be here for a while. While somewhat annoying it's not what frustrates me. As everyone begins to notice the time change people start stirring in their seats. Yet all this time, not a single announcement is made from our gate agent. He sits there at the podium caught up in his own world.
Now don't get me wrong, I am not asking for a play by play of what is occurring but I am expecting some explanation. See, I like to have options and in order for me to identify what my options are this particular evening, I need to understand the situation. Is the plane having mechanical issues? Is our inbound flight delayed? Is there bad weather at my arrival destination? Having an understanding of the situation would allow me to make some decisions about what to do next. Do I go to a restaurant order dinner and a drink because we are going to be here for a while? Do I go grab something quick from a fast food joint and bring it back because we will be taking off sooner than anticipated or should I hang out here staring intently at the screen wondering what's next?
Well I hate to say it but this isn't the first time I have felt this way before. Through a show of hands, how many of you have felt this way in your career? Come on, be honest and raise your hand. Many of you feel like you are in the dark about your career the same way I felt about what time I was going to arrive at home. We walk around with little to no information and wonder what next? Is there a plan in place for me to grow in my career here? Am I considered a high-performing, high-potential employee? We are all essentially walking around with the lights out because we aren't given any guidance.
This is where my take on this situation comes in. Turn on the lights for crying out loud. Why do organizations and leaders feel it's so important to keep us all in the dark? Are they afraid that telling us we rock might some how cloud our focus and make us less productive? Are they concerned that by engaging us in those conversations others might get jealous? Yes they are! But it's time to stop being worried. When was the last time you recognized someone for outstanding contributions and they went back and stopped working? When was the last time you knew someone was out performing you and the thought alone encouraged you to work even harder so that you were first?
The same holds true for the engagement and development of your people. I am a huge believer in turning on those lights and allowing people to have visibility into their own future. By being open and honest with people you give them the ability to make choices. You learn about their aspirations and goals. And most importantly, they strive to work even harder so they can achieve those goals and grow their career. Let's face it, if you don't turn the lights on for them they will eventually see a light at the end of the tunnel only it will be a light somewhere else. Are you willing to risk your best and brightest (no pun intended) stumbling out the door?
