It Is All About Me!
3rd May, 2009 | 8:24 pm | By Graham Crombie - Audit and Assurance Services, Partner and Chief Executive

I have always used the line “It’s not all about you” to bring myself (and others) back to focus when we were losing the plot on what we are trying to do.

I learnt the technique from a previous CEO I worked with.  He was faced each year with a new chairman due to the nature of the governance structure he was working with.  Each year he was required to discuss with the new chair how they might work together.  After doing this for several years he managed to shorten the speech to “Its not all about you – focus on the role”.

This is great advice and I continue to use it, both on myself and some of those I am working with. 

During the last couple of weeks I have been observing people turning this idea around and allowing some significant advances to happen.

The first instance I observed this in was when one of my close family members decided to take up running.  Not ever having run before there was no point in aiming for a simple target so a marathon became the target.  Training has been measured and sensible and we were delighted a couple of weeks ago when a one hour run was achieved for the first time.  Unfortunately, because of the trail being run on an injury was picked up.  This has resulted in three weeks of frustration at not being able to train.  Training has just resumed. The interesting part for me is the benefit of the focus on a challenging objective has had on the individual and to all those around us.  People focused on a big goal bring a positive energy to all those they are in contact with.

The second time I have observed this effect was the results of a personal development course Polson Higgs are involved in called Turning Point.  Again I have observed individuals focusing on things that are important to them resulting in a much more positive outcome for all.  Another member of my family has just completed the course and again the change in energy has been noticeable.

This was on my mind this week when I attended our annual staff training in Methven.  We had 85 of our people together for a couple of days and had a great time.  A large group of us spent a two days focusing on how we operate in a recession.  It was a great opportunity to work on what we are actually going to do.

The delight for me was to watch individuals start to take personal responsibility as the course when on.  The realisation that by improving themselves and their skills they not only would improve their relevance to the organisation but also be able to play a major role in the firms response which will benefit many more.

It is true that “Its not about any one of us” but clearly when we focus on ourselves for the benefit of the team we can achieve great things.  I came away from our session feeling very positive about what we can achieve as a firm in the difficult times around us.

As for the marathon – no doubt at all I will be on the finishing line celebrating a great achievement.

As always keen to hear from you.  I can be contacted at graham.crombie@ph.co.nz

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Last updated: 4th May, 2009 | 9:37 am