Small change: don’t mirror dysfunction

First published on
Aug 22, 2023
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Writing Small Change Communicating clearly Culture in companies Difficult conversations Emotions at work Getting change done Happiness at work High performing teams Leadership development 2023

“Not my circus, not my monkeys” is a wonderful expression of Polish derivation.

At one level, it seems to suggest that, when reason and behaviour no longer appear to be friends, walking away is the right course of action. This might be sound advice.

But the phrase is also open to another interpretation: if things are getting a little crazy, would your (indeed, everyone’s) interests be better served by establishing a degree of distance?

Establishing distance doesn’t require you to stop caring about the situation, or absolve you of the need to demonstrate compassion. But clear sightedness is a prerequisite of effective leadership. No-one can make good decisions if they’re busy dancing to another ringmaster’s tune.

Something to consider: where might I (or my team) be getting caught up in the circus act?

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