Managing People is Puzzling!

 

I recently read an article titled, “Managing people is puzzling.” Two key terms in that statement: “managing” and “puzzling,” especially as it pertains to “people,” which is the third key term. I’m not very good at math. First of all, you can’t manage people. You can try, but you’ll fail. Managers manage and control things. People are not things. What’s puzzling is why anyone would see a group of persons, or people, as things. And you can’t use management techniques trying to lead people, which is what we say leaders do. The puzzling reference is puzzling if you have a Puzzle Mentality. Managers practice a Puzzle Mentality. Leaders create a Mosaic Mentality. Keep reading. I’ll get you to that soon.

 

            By function, a Puzzle Mentality requires that we, persons, fit a preconceived mold, a picture, a perception, or a vision based on someone else’s perspective of who we should be or what we should do, even how we should do it. That’s restrictive. It’s bounded by external perspectives and influences. It doesn’t allow for creativity or innovation unless it’s creating that preconceived vision.

 

            If you’ve ever done a jigsaw puzzle, you’ve probably used the box, the picture of what the puzzle is supposed to look like, so that it will guide you. The completion of that puzzle is limited to that picture. It’s restrictive. With that mentality, followers can only go so far. They can’t go beyond the boundaries someone else has set. It creates a “where do I fit in mentality.” What if you’re so creative, which is what we’re looking for in our followers, that you DON’T fit in? “Then, I’m out! I’ll find somewhere else to be me.”

 

            With the Mosaic Mentality, which starts at the center and works its way out, there is no mold. There’s a purpose, and each part, each person, creates their own part of the picture by applying what they have to offer to the big picture. There’s no preconceived picture, it grows continuously. It creates a “how do I fit in” mentality that becomes art, and that’s creative and empowering. It’s boundless. Each person creates the picture by applying their best part of themselves. That’s what most of your followers want. They want to be them, not you.

 

            The fourth and final key term in the statement that I shared with you at the beginning of this thought is “is.” I know that you’ve heard someone say that “It is what it is.” Well, actually, NO, It’s NOT!! It is what we make it. Managing people IS puzzling. DON’T! It doesn’t work! That’s what makes it puzzling and exhausting. Discard your Puzzle Mentality and develop a Mosaic Mentality that invites continuous growth. Every person on your team will appreciate you and will give you more…because they’re giving you themselves.

 

Until next time, be GREAT! You ARE! 

HEIRPOWER!

 

bob vásquez!