43. Stay Accountable for Outcomes

In times of turmoil and confusion, it is easy to let things slide. Deadlines may pass. Customer service may slip. Your energy level may wane. You may become easily distracted. When this happens, get yourself back on track by focusing. Focus on your customers. Focus on your work. Focus on your personal life. Staying focused on what is important will help you stay accountable for outcomes.

Performance Prompts

• Look beyond yourself at the big picture. Look ahead to the end result.

• Add value. Always give more than you take.

• During times of change, prioritize your work. Keep yourself on target until things return to a sense of normality.

• When goals and objectives are blurred during change, set short-term goals that will be more manageable.

• Set a personal goal to become a lifelong learner. Learning helps you keep on top of change.

• Get enough rest. Eat healthy foods. Exercise every day. Do what you can to keep your energy level consistent.

• Keep busy doing what is important and meaningful. Idle time can be dangerous. A wandering mind loses focus. Negative self-talk may bring you down.

• Stay tuned in to your customers, coworkers, and management. Talk to them more, and listen more. Ask others for suggestions, ideas, and input.

• Do not allow problems to get out of hand. When you see a problem developing, take care of it.

• Cut out the nonessentials during periods of change. Focus only on the necessary.

When This Happens ...

Outside work, you are actively involved in a not-for-profit organization that provides tutoring to underprivileged children. At your monthly meeting, the executive director asks you to volunteer to take over the newsletter. You are thrilled until you start thinking about what is going on at work. Taking on this responsibility will require a huge time commitment.

Try This

Say, “Thank you for thinking of me. I’m definitely interested. I’ll think it over to see if I can handle it right now, and I’ll get back to you by Friday.” You want to say yes, but as you weigh the pros and cons during the next few days, you decide that it is too much to take on with the impending merger. Right now, it is most important that you stay committed to doing your best at work during the change. Call the director, and say, “After giving this careful consideration, I’m going to have to decline because of work responsibilities. I appreciate that you considered me, and I hope I have another opportunity in the future.” Before making a decision, take the time to think through the situation objectively. That way, you will make the right choice. Right now, the right choice is to concentrate on working through the change—and—continuing to do your best at work.

Rely on your common sense and good judgment to get you through any situation.