Martin Luther King Jr once said All men [people] are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly affects all indirectly can never be what I ought to be until you are what you ought to be, and you can never be what you ought to be until I am what I ought to be. This is the inter-related structure of reality.
This statement is relevant to the workplace. It applies to everyone within an organisation, from the person that delivers the mail, to the salesperson, to the account manager servicing the client, through to the Managing Director as well as the inhouse lawyers including the General Counsel.
Martin Luther King's statement needs to be understood in two contexts.
First, each employee directly impacts every employee they work with. We all enjoy working with people who truly understand the concept of teamwork. Each person actively takes responsibility for their part of the job. They are accountable, they communicate and they ensure that their job is performed properly so that the next person can in turn deliver what they are expected to deliver. They also acknowledge and understand that they would not be able to do their job without the assistance of other employees on whom they rely.
This can be compared to sprinters running a relay race. Each sprinter making sure they take the baton safely and securely, run their stretch as fast as they can and hand the baton on to the next without dropping it.
Secondly, each employee's behaviour and attitude affects everyone they interact with on a daily basis. How many of us have experienced the grumpy person who snarls when you ask them for something. It is amazing then to watch how one person's smiling face, friendly attitude and kind word can change the work environment in an instant. The work does not go away, but at least it makes the job at hand more pleasant and at times fun!
As I reflect on my role as General Counsel I observe the interconnectedness of employees in the workplace on a daily basis. For example, I realise that the sales team rely on my ability to negotiate a contract or redraft a clause so they can close their latest deal. In turn, I rely on information from the people I work with to enable me to deliver the required legal services to the business. I also understand and acknowledge that my attitude at work and the way I treat each person every day will directly impact them. It is my hope, however, that even though I am a lawyer our interactions are always positive!
I challenge each one of you who reads this article to take the time to think about your connection with the people you work with every day. To reflect on how your attitude and your work affects everyone directly or indirectly every day! Next time you are tempted to come to work in a grumpy mood or snap at someone who might have asked you for something one too many times, take a deep breath, think of Martin Luther King's quote and SMILE. I dare you!
Frieda Grant is the General Counsel for ADP accounting service
ADP Employer Services business service is the worlds largest provider of payroll and HR solutions for SME's. The product - 'Payline' services organizations ranging from 4 - 150 Employees. Services include; payment of employees, payment of PAYG Withholding Tax, payslips, payment summaries etc
6-Aug-2008