A Letter to the Boss
"Telling you how to do your job seemed harder than quitting..."
Rather than the standard article this month I thought you would find this this much more useful. I discovered a "Letter" while wandering around the web ages ago and became so popular it received a make over as a ChangeThis manifesto . There’s so much good stuff here I had a rush of ideas on how teams and leaders could use it so I’ve also included a few suggestions to kick start your thinking.
WHAT
“Dear Bosses” by Josh Kamler and Axel Albin (languageincommon) is a letter from a bunch of creative types to their “Boss” explaining why they quit their job. It begins, “Looking back, we probably should have helped you more at the time, but telling you how to do your job seemed harder than quitting. Sorry about that"
SO WHAT
I can’t recall how often I heard something similar in exit interviews during my HRing days but you don’t need to be in my line of work or a 20something creative from the US to get this. Josh and Alex deliver some universal truths that will resonate with almost anyone at any level in any organization. (Although fair warning some language may offend)
Download your copy of "Dear Bosses" (pdf)
NOW WHAT
As “The Employee” why don’t you consider….
Being subversive and spreading the word. Leave a few copies lying around the staff cafeteria. You never know who might read it and what it may change.
Printing off copies for your team, and depending on your boss, include them in the circulation list too. Leaders are always busy but it’s a quick and easy read. And everyone needs a prompt to get things like leadership, teamwork, creativity, inspiration and innovation back on the radar.
You could even consider asking the boss to include it in your next team meeting. Take a look at the following suggestions for a few ideas.
As “The Boss” why don’t you consider…
Using this as a tool to hold a conversation with your team about leadership (i.e. Act like a Pitcher not a Belly Itcher – and get some feedback)
Circulate copies to your team before your next team meeting and allocate time on the agenda to discuss it.
Offer a few of your own insights and then ask for their thoughts. Open up the conversation with a few low-key questions, then just sit back and listen. For example: What did you find funny/interesting/most relevant? Why? What comments connected with you? Why? What ideas did this generate?
Up the anti with …What’s true in this for our team? Or consider working on something specific such as… Creating your own “Safe Word”
Appointing a team funmaker or better still funmakers
The team’s routine for sharing the inspiring things you and they discover
Magazine subscriptions – that don’t suck
Crystallizing vague ideas on what success means and looks like for the team
If you have a “young” team (i.e. majority under 30) consider focusing on “How about a Hug”. Feedback is a seriously big deal for Gen Y (not just sensitive creative types)
Why not challenge the team to create their own version of the Dear Boss letter. And in the same vein, while the team is producing their “Letter to the Boss” why don’t you consider writing your “Letter to the Team”.
Do it before it’s too late.
One of the most upsetting and frustrating things I experienced as an (ex) HR Manager was listening to people in exit interviews talk about their boss and what could have been if only… but by then it was too late. Equally I listen to bosses talk about their employees and teams in a similar “if only” fashion.
Two Letters One Powerful Conversation.
Imagine the insight and shared understanding that will evolve as you and the team compare and discuss your letters. It will be one of the more challenging but inspiring and constructive acts of leadership and team building you can invest in.
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