Most job descriptions will detail requirements in technical abilities, depth of knowledge, level of education, or relevant experience. What’s often not included though, and yet is equally as important, is the temperament and attitude that can also be applied towards the job and its responsibilities.
What’s not included, and yet sounds (obviously) valuable once it is stated, is to know what’s really a problem and what isn’t. Because even if it was a serious issue, it doesn’t need you, or those you lead and manage, to feel more anger, shame, or fear than necessary. And most of the time, it requires less than what we feel it needs when we are experiencing the “emergency” at the height of our emotional reaction.
Aside from doing a job effectively is the possibility (and therefore option) of doing it enjoyably, which entails not losing your wits or temper over every single thing that goes wrong. We often forget that almost no business, organization, operation, person, or team on earth conducts itself with absolutely zero errors ever. Even if most tasks and work meet a high standard the majority of the time, there will always be periods when the number of problems will grow at what feels like an exponential rate, as will the ensuing pain and panic.
“There are decades where nothing happens; and there are weeks where decades happen.”
― Vladimir Ilyich Lenin
So what’s the aim? To position yourself in the eye of the storm and keep your wits about you.
When those moments do hit, it could be just as inevitable as bad weather. If you can see it coming from miles away, then prepare as best as you can. But even in those preparations, anger and panic are options, not necessities.
And if the best you can do is brace yourself to weather the storm, then yes, things will be bad. In fact, they might feel like they’ve never been worse. But letting your perception of how bad things are define how you feel, and then letting those emotions completely color your actions and interactions might is unnecessary. In fact, they could also be harmful. From a productivity and performance perspective, it can damage the calm that would otherwise lead to creativity, gratitude that can drive motivation, and safety that fosters trust.
It’s likely not listed in your job description. To remain level-headed in the face of adversity. To embolden others through patience and kindness. To conduct yourself and carry out your work with the kind of positivity that would qualify as generosity.
But that doesn’t mean it’s not an option. In fact, it can be admirable as an aspiration.
