PressureValves

The leaders I've loved working for most over the last 50 years had remarkable pressure valves to "mediate" their frustrations. And, of course, they had frustrations, by the case load.

Here are some of the things they would do in dealing with those frustrations and pain points:

• Without raising their voice, throwing things, or making threats, they let us know, very directly and succinctly, what the frustration causer was.
• They addressed the issue ONLY with the people that needed to know about it, not in blast emails or memos to the whole organization.
• They alerted us to the frustration inducer early, rather than letting a small problem turn into a bigger one.
• Unless it was an issue of urgent safety concern, they managed to infuse a bit of levity into addressing the issue (by use of humor, or story, or analogy). 
• NEVER was belittling, attacking, or demeaning others a part of their remedial effort.
• They framed the problem in terms of "business," not making it a personal issue.
• Hard conversations were always had professionally, with empathy and kindness.

Did those wise folks get frustrated? Of course, almost daily. Did they allow their frustration to become a distraction or causer of more frustration? Nope. They effectively channeled their frustration in ways that resulted in better outcomes for all. 

I am eternally thankful for those powerful and thoughtful mentors. I'm pretty sure I was the cause of some of that frustration.