What does your Environment say about YOU?

As leaders and managers we are required to create an environment that engages those who work with us, but what does that look like?

Our environment says a lot about who we are and if our environment does not engage us as managers and leaders what chance does it have of engaging others’? Our teams, our followers, watch our every move and will notice when we are not engaged so, at the very least, our environment should engage us fully.

My intention in this article is simply to raise your awareness and if you choose to take action, then that is an added bonus.

The environment we live in is often overlooked and taken for granted and yet it has a significant impact on us and how we are.

I have decided to take a slightly broader look at environment in the hope that it will encourage you to look at your own and identify what works, what doesn’t and, what you can to get the results you want, which will hopefully create one which engages your team.

What makes up your environment?

The obvious things to think about and where most people start, is the physical ‘stuff’, your desk, your office, your car etc. However, your environment goes beyond this. All of the following are elements for you to consider:

·       Relationships

·       Network

·       You – physically, emotionally and mentally

Your environment is a reflection of who you are and therefore anything and everything in your environment has an impact on you.

So, if you are not getting the results that you want one approach is to look at your environment and figure out what isn’t working, what does not fit with your aspirations. Anything that is draining your energy or having you ‘power through’ things to get things done is not having you operate at your most effective. Put another way; things, people, places and ideas all have an energy that impacts on you.

Things – what physical things are having a negative impact. This may simply be the way your desk is organised, your filing system (both physically and on your computer), the way you have your computer set up or other technology and how you are using your time.

People – What relationships are working and which are not? What can you do to improve these? Are you utilising your network effectively to get the results you want? Do you need to develop your network further? Who is supporting you? Who is not supporting you, or draining you? You may need to let these people go.

Places – This can be where your office space is located, where you work, where you live, where you spend your free time. Which energise you? Which drain you? Which ones help you be you? What can you change? What can you adapt?

Ideas – This area is about you. What’s going on in your head? Are you limiting yourself? What assumptions are you making about you and others? Are these helpful? What internal dialogue do you need to change to be more positive? What music do you listen to? What TV programmes do you watch? What do you eat?

Most people I know look externally when in fact by looking internally you can have a bigger impact. I know one person who conducted a review and discovered that changing the music they were listening to on the way to wprk significantly changed their mood when at work!!

What are you tolerating? What is draining your energy? Start with one thing – it may mean creating a new habit and it may impact on other areas. Wherever you choose to start, be committed and if you can’t be, maybe you need to start somewhere else – the place that’s stopping you from taking action. Don’t’ worry if the action is imperfect. Any action is better than no action at all!

 

"Out with everything you don't need - the junk, clutter, hang-ups and hurts - and in with the fresh, fantastic, unencumbered life you've always wanted."

Oprah