This is pretty far fetched as I’m just starting out, but I’d be interested in seeing some input from anyone that has a moment.
On a few occasions I’ve had the opportunity to take hosted leadership development classes. And a frequent message that I recall from each one of the teachers was “take it home with you”. Now, I have to admit, for any 1-2 day course there might really be only one thing that sticks with me. And even then, its quite unlikely that it comes home.
So, here’s where I’d love to kick off in discussion. What have you learned at work that you’ve been able to take home and use? Additionally, what difficulties have you faced taking teachings from work back home?
I’ll kick it off (and maybe close it down). One thing I have taken home with me is the Eisenhower Matrix.
With a handful of kiddos and a resulting large number of things that need to get done, I semi/sorta have the matrix in the back of my head when it comes to which things to do and what time to do them.
Now, much like our customers at work, at home all tasks are urgent and important. So, where at work I can detach emotionally and make a decision based on cold hard logical reasoning, at home I’m out of luck. But at the least, if its me and only me focusing my time for tasks that I want to accomplish then the matrix does the trick.
Other difficulties? I mentioned that emotional detachment and logical decision making. One thing I have yet to manage to take home is that. At home, I often will lose that control and my emotions will win out. Why is that you reckon? Is patience a limited resource that I’m using up keeping cool and calm at work? Am I possessed by multiple personalities? What gives?
I’ve attended some neat lessons on controlling emotions. Pausing, gaining composure, letting the emotions fade, and then moving on is an all to familiar concept. Deescalation techniques that security personnel use is even in my repertoire. But the same tactics are drowned out at home.
I do know that at work, if my composure slips and someone notices, they often time can recognize the pause and give me the moment. At home though, any pause is just filled with more.
Anyway, that’s my kick off for Wednesday Discussions. Please drop a comment down below and share your thoughts!
Jeff of All Trades 