With the news that the only safe way to get across icy roads is on all fours and that the snow brings out the inner child in even the most hardened police officers, we are reminded that even when the going gets tough we can all influence something to make our lives at work and home safer and/or better.
In the news this week, it was reported that in Yorkshire people resorted to crawling across roads to avoid falls on the ice and in Oxford the inner child came out as we saw police officers sledging on riot shields. http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/oxford/hi/people_and_places/newsid_8458000/8458645.stm (couldnt resist posting the bbc link!)
Both of these stories struck a chord with me for different reasons.
Firstly, how capable and tenacious we all can be in the face of adversity. Whether adversity is physical conditions like the weather or increasing pressure at work, if we focus on a solution rather than hooking into the problem, then we can make progress. Pedestrians in Yorkshire simply had enough of falling when taking the usual steps to cross a road so decided to go on all fours and crossed safely without injury.
So how can we apply this lessons at work? Ask yourself these questions:
- What am I doing that is just not making progress i need/expect? (analyse)
- What do I want to achieve? (check in the desired outcome)
- How else can I make progress? (challenge if there are alternative methods.. knwo that there is ALWAYS a different way to make progress)
As we all know, the quality of our solution can often depend on the quality of our questions and it is easy to get hooked into the ‘usual practice’. Take this time to focus on your outcome and try a different way.
More on questioning on our website www.leaps-bounds.co.uk/insights/freereport/
The second story interested me because many people were appalled that police officers were taking time out whilst on duty and using police gear to get them down the slope. On one level I completely understand that judgement but also let’s face it, wouldn’t most of us take a moment to enjoy the play if given the chance? How many people didn’t go into work during the snowy days even when they possibly could have? Let’s watch who and what we judge and checkour own actions before cricising others. We all make choices and decisions that have a knock on effect . For example, in our locality, very few primary schools in our area kept open during the snow. One of them that did was our children’s school (they were gutted 
) The reason is because the Head teacher understands her responsibility to the community and that if the children couldn’t go to school, many parents couldn’t get to work and many carers couldn’t get to care for the vulnerable people in the community who need their support. Her teachers come from far and wide and those that could came in. Some parents also mucked in to help. Paths were cleared and salted before the children arrived to make sure they were as safe as possible. They opened and the children had great fun. Just for the record, this school is www.bromptonwestbrook.medway.sch.uk/ These people know that for every action and choice they make there is alwasy a consequence and it is important to think through these consequences befroe taking action.
So maybe we could all challenge ourselves more about what is the right thing before we criticise others. Let them play! I bet these police officers do a great and very valued job when they are off the slopes.
Make this year the year when you think through alternatives when things don;t go quite right or question the consequences of your actions on others and if all of us did a little bit what a great place it would be. Remember ti is oftne the little things that make the most difference. Take a look at http://www.wearewhatwedo.org/ to help steer your everyday actions. Enjoy
