Taming the Problem Monsters: Reclaiming Control of Your Work and Life
Introducing the "Problem Monsters"
"You have power over your mind, not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength." - Marcus Aurelius
Are you familiar with the phenomenon of Problem Monsters that can infiltrate your office and wreak havoc on your team? These insidious creatures invade your thoughts, making you doubt your abilities and leaving you ill-prepared for your job. One such monster is the notorious "Impostor." Another is the relentless "OverThinkor," which engulfs your mind, leaving you feeling overwhelmed and out of control.
These Problem Monsters are a daily presence in our workplaces and homes. Perhaps you've encountered "Prokrastinator," a team member who continuously procrastinates and fails to meet deadlines. When confronted about their tardiness, they unleash their partner in crime, "Avoidor," refusing to take responsibility for their actions. Alternatively, you may find yourself failing to address these issues head-on, falling prey to the wiles of "Avoidor."
The presence of frustrating bosses can also amplify the influence of Problem Monsters. "Tellor" is the type of boss who dictates your every move, stifling your autonomy instead of allowing you the space to deliver results. Even worse is "MicroMangor," the manager who clings to control, demanding constant updates every five minutes. Working under such leaders can be exceedingly frustrating. Additionally, there's another formidable Problem Monster called "Blockor," who obstructs your team's budget and prevents you from securing the promotion you've longed for over the past year and a half.
Life was much simpler before these Problem Monsters took over the office. There's "Blaimor," who constantly shifts blame onto others for the company's problems while conveniently ignoring their own shortcomings. Collaborating closely with "Blaimor," "Dividor" fuels the team's resentment by placing the blame solely on the marketing department for any shortcomings in the new product launch. Meanwhile, "Instigator" stokes the flames of gossip, initiating hallway conversations that shed light on the true culprits behind all the problems.
Do you recall that team meeting last week that descended into chaos from the very beginning? Your boss, "Confusor," provided vague instructions to the team, allowing "Distraktor" to divert your attention toward irrelevant issues, effectively distracting you from the major problem that demanded attention. Once again “OverPromisor” had missed out on their quarterly commitment. No one dared to speak up, and the massive elephant in the room, "Bignore," remained unaddressed. When "Confusor" asked for "Followor's" opinion, they simply parroted what everyone else was saying or agreed without contributing anything substantial. Despite everyone's fondness for "LimeLightor," his constant stream of hilarious stories and sarcastic remarks derailed any attempts to regain focus. And “Disruptor” brings up their latest problem to the team and everyone is completely off track.
Despite your initial hopes for resolution, when your VP approached your boss, "Confusor," seeking guidance on which proposed solutions your team favored, your boss transformed into "Indecidor." Now your team finds itself stuck in a state of indecision, confusion, division, and overwhelming stress. "Stressor" emerges as the common monster plaguing everyone's minds, plunging you all back into the clutches of "OverThinkor." Now everyone leaves the office carrying the Problem Monsters home with them, and before you know it they have taken control of our office and our homes.
Closing Thoughts
Do these scenarios sound all too familiar to you? With 18 monsters and one colossal elephant, your office can quickly become overcrowded. But fear not, Leadership In Focus is here to help. We have developed a program designed to empower leaders and teams to regain control over these Problem Monsters before they seize control of your office.
In the coming days and weeks, we will delve deeper into these Problem Monsters, providing you with resources, tips, and advice to help you take charge of these challenges. If the situation described above resonated with you and you'd like to explore how our Problem Monsters Leadership Development Program can get your team back on track, feel free to
reach out to us at contact@leadershipinfocus.ca.
About the Author:
Kurtis Graham, the Founder of Leadership in Focus, has over 23 years of progressive leadership experience in sales and marketing, working for Fortune 500 organizations across Canada and internationally in Europe and Southeast Asia. With a passion for driving impactful change in the world of leadership development, Kurtis is always seeking new ways to expand his leadership skills and give back.
