Work: No Boundaries

It was Dave's first day on the job and he was talking with one of the managers.

"I have a tendency to just go and go.  Every once in awhile you'll have to reel me back in."

Did Dave hear that right?  Mitch stated that he had ambition.  He then said that Dave would have to keep that ambition in check.  It was time for Dave and Mitch to talk about boundaries.

"Mitch, I appreciate your enthusiasm brother.  In Dave's world, as long as a company, we're going in the same direction, there are no boundaries and there are no limitations."

Dave had found over the years that once the fences were down, associates could run and run and run.  He also found that once they had permission to run, they wouldn't run away.  The mere fact that they knew the fences were down often caused a spike in motivation. 

Dave also found that as a manager, he was more productive when associates like Mitch went about their business knowing there were no fences. 

Comments

[Dick Richards]

Re: once they had permission to run, they wouldn't run away.

Dave -- it feels like that comment is worth exploring. It suggests the antithesis of command-control, a climate of trust and openness, a sense that people show up wanting to do the right thing if only they knew what it was, etc.

I have a great metaphor about this. A few weeks ago, my springer-spaniel-mix dog (a real birder) got loose in an area of four vacant soccer fields. She chased all the birds off for twenty minutes (doing her job), but never left my sight and came back to me when she was through.

[Dave]

Right on Dick! The complete antithesis of command-control! Great analogy with your dog!

Now I have worked with associates who wouldn't come back far on their own. I love these guys as much as those who do. The reason is, they cause you to stretch.

The important thing to me is they are out and running. I am very comfortable with diverse levels of "out there."