I've been quietly avoiding my blog for the last few weeks. I have good excuses (not that they matter). The point is that no blog equals no sharing of information. So, today I am just as busy but I am a little better focused on managing what I need to do.
One of my passions outside of work is photography. Besides just being fun, it's been a great way to connect with my kids’ activities and events. Their friends all seem to like that Lipton's dad is taking pictures of everyone and is willing to share them (I know they like them since I have seen them on their Facebook pages).
This weekend was my son's senior prom. I of course volunteered to take the pre-prom pictures of his ever growing group (23 at final count). In the weeks leading up to the event I scouted great outdoor venues to take the shots and shared them with the kids. Funny thing happened though, the forecast was heavy rain. So, we scrambled at the last minute to find an indoor location.
The problem was that I hadn’t managed my expectations for an indoor location. My brain had all the pictures designed and laid out in the perfect outdoor location. I had given very little thought to other contingencies. We did find a great indoor location. Then, the weather changed again and I found a new great outdoor location. Funny thing though, the kids didn't want to move. They liked the indoor spot. I had to get my brain focused on shooting indoors. I wasn't happy. I didn't have the right lights. I didn't like the venue. The kids didn't care.
Here's the scenario: You prepare. Something you are not prepared for happens, you need to adjust. You get mad and try to force the original plan, everyone else gets frustrated.
I see this scenario on the job so many times. We need to keep in mind that managers are measured by what they get done. Often times, we forget that the "how" we get it done can change. The "how" isn't measured. The results are. Manager's simply need to focus on getting to the result in the most effective way possible and stress flexibility on the "how".
We are certainly in a time of uncertainty with the future of many of our key funding streams unknown. Yet, we are still measured by the impact we have in our communities - our result. We have to be flexible in the “how” we get there. We have to think like managers.
Bottom line: Be flexible, manage to results, and have a little fun!!
By the way, the pictures turned out ok. I adjusted, but it was really hard. I made do with the lighting I had and did a lot of post-processing work on my computer. The result was? I heard thank you from happy parents and kids. Here's one of my favorite shots:
