Iowa Specialty Hospital

Amy's Reflections

March 16, 2017

“Children have never been very good at listening to their elders, but they have never failed to imitate them.” - James Baldwin   

This week is spring break in Belmond, and I took the week off to spend with my family. We were planning on going to Missouri to see relatives but it didn't work out. Instead I have been working with my children on cleaning their rooms. Wow, what a disaster! Maleigha's closet had clothes, toys, and blankets piled in it about waist high. Needless to say about 50 loads of laundry later we are almost organized. Now some may think that is an awful way to spend spring break, but not for me. Our whole family seems happier when we are organized. Maleigha's room was first, and she kindly shared some sage advice with her brothers. She told them "You better not try to hide stuff in your closet or under your bed because mom looks everywhere." They are getting better about picking up their rooms, and I try to remember when I get frustrated that they have to be taught how to clean as they didn't come programmed with it. 

I believe this applies at work as well as; no one comes programmed with everything they need to know. There is so much we can learn from each other if we simply slow down and listen. I often find when I am most frustrated with someone that is exactly when I should take additional time and learn from them. Sometimes our failed expectations are a sign of our own failure in helping someone learn a new process or job function. We have great mentor programs and all kinds of training, but I have always learned the most by hands on training. The good old try and fail and try again method. Of course this method takes patience and the ability to self-reflect and learn from our mistakes, but I find it to be the one that has the greatest lessons. This week I challenge you to look at a frustration you have with another co-worker and reflect on what is your part in the frustration. What are two things you can do to fix the situation? You may be surprised at how easy it is to resolve when you try.

“Leaders are more powerful role models when they learn than when they teach.” - Rosabeth Moss Kantor
 

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