The following note from Ireland came to us via the Greater Than Yourself site. The writer is specifically asking about GTY as a solution for some far-reaching (heart-wrenching) challenges, and it’s a good question. But I’d like to open it up to any and all solutions.
So…what advice do you have for our Irish friend? Would GTY be part of the solution? If so, why? If not, why not? What other ideas or words of counsel or encouragement can you offer? Please comment below:
“I am an HR Director in a software company in Ireland. Due to recession, societal meltdown and a holcaust of sorts in the form of a child abuse scandal in Ireland, employees are on their knees. Sure they are trying hard, etc. but they do so without passion, without a cause and with a ‘going through the motions’ mindset. I want to do something to break this cycle, to create something new in the company and to bring hope to these guys. Is GTY for us?”
From my experience, which is somewhat similar to what you are facing, I spent time with all aspects of the organization. First, the managers throughout – these are extremely difficult times – and any acknowledgement of that and insuring that they are taking care of themselves is important. They should be echoing that throughout their organizations.
There are simple ways to break the focus on the negative. Anything to switch away from the focus on stuff that frankly the employee’s have no control over. Bring GTY into the culture, should be one of the ways to help each other through this rough patch. Starting a different culture of learning, sharing and helping others – can only make your company stronger in the long run. Everyone will be busy – with the focus on themselves, others and the company. Has to be all good!
From my experience, which is somewhat similar to what you are facing, I spent time with all aspects of the organization. First, the managers throughout – these are extremely difficult times – and any acknowledgement of that and insuring that they are taking care of themselves is important. They should be echoing that throughout their organizations.
There are simple ways to break the focus on the negative. Anything to switch away from the focus on stuff that frankly the employee’s have no control over. Bring GTY into the culture, should be one of the ways to help each other through this rough patch. Starting a different culture of learning, sharing and helping others – can only make your company stronger in the long run. Everyone will be busy – with the focus on themselves, others and the company. Has to be all good!
Steve,
I’ll be anxious to hear your take but from my perspective…these people are broken. GTY is about the individual and the relationship that exists between two people. I think this team needs to heal as a whole before any of them will have the desire/courage to stretch themselves.
Maybe they could modify the GTY idea and lift someone up together as a team. Build a house for a poor family, rake leaves for an elderly woman, Volunteer to paint a local orphanage. Something that allows them to accomplish something together…to enhance someone else’s world.
Maybe if they can do that a few times, their culture will before to heal and some of the individuals will be ready to either take on a GTY project or become someone’s project.
What do you think?
Drew
Steve,
I’ll be anxious to hear your take but from my perspective…these people are broken. GTY is about the individual and the relationship that exists between two people. I think this team needs to heal as a whole before any of them will have the desire/courage to stretch themselves.
Maybe they could modify the GTY idea and lift someone up together as a team. Build a house for a poor family, rake leaves for an elderly woman, Volunteer to paint a local orphanage. Something that allows them to accomplish something together…to enhance someone else’s world.
Maybe if they can do that a few times, their culture will before to heal and some of the individuals will be ready to either take on a GTY project or become someone’s project.
What do you think?
Drew
I’ll do my GTY project right away. Thanks Steve. Always like your work.
I’ll do my GTY project right away. Thanks Steve. Always like your work.
The important thing to realize about this situation is that it will take time. The symptoms that were described did not develop overnight and, I suspect, don’t really have much to do with the economy and scandals that were mentioned. In other words, the organization was already unhealthy.
The thing I like about GTY is that it focuses on something I am passionate about…MENTORING. That relationship takes time to build. Of course it will help in this situation. But set realistic expectations and be committed to following through.
If not done with the level of commitment and follow-through that I encourage, the organization will fall deeper into despair because it will lose more faith in the leaders who attempted but quit the process.
The important thing to realize about this situation is that it will take time. The symptoms that were described did not develop overnight and, I suspect, don’t really have much to do with the economy and scandals that were mentioned. In other words, the organization was already unhealthy.
The thing I like about GTY is that it focuses on something I am passionate about…MENTORING. That relationship takes time to build. Of course it will help in this situation. But set realistic expectations and be committed to following through.
If not done with the level of commitment and follow-through that I encourage, the organization will fall deeper into despair because it will lose more faith in the leaders who attempted but quit the process.