Top Lessons Learned Over The Last Month

Oh, my good grief.  This last month or so has been a roller coaster of a ride.  I do believe I have seen the best and worst of people.  And myself, I’m afraid to say.  But through pain comes the chance to learn and grow… So, what ‘lessons learned’ can I share with you dear reader?

1 Never, ever believe that a long-standing colleague will not shaft you.  I recently discovered that what I thought were cast-iron commitments, loyalty and trust between myself and a reliable colleague were, in fact, merely expedient until a job got done.  To be shafted like that hurts like hell.  Particularly when you think you are too old to fall for the ‘but he’ll never behave like that with me’ old chestnut. He did.  He was always going to.  If it were not so bloody painful and possibly fatal, I would shoot myself.

But learn from my mistake.  Here is how to work out if it is likely to happen to you: has this person ever fallen out with people before? Taken advantage of anyone before?  Reneged on promises before?  If so, let me tell you something.  YOU ARE NOT GOING TO BE THE ONE EXCEPTION.

It is broadly true that a leopard does not change its spots.  And to continue the animal analogy: if it walks like a duck, and it quacks like a duck, it’s a duck.  
So, if you’re in business with a leopard or a duck-like these, insist on getting all promises and terms and conditions documented.  If your trusted colleague won’t document it, they WILLshaft you.  Because when something is genuinely intended, there should be no problem.  
Best of all, make sure that before you start working with them that you REALLY listen to yourself about their behavioural track record.  Because your future problem is hiding in plain sight.
Having said all that, I am a firm believer in ‘everything happens for the best’ and I remain a generally optimistic Madame, so let’s move swiftly on to my second lesson learned which is:

2.  Look upon a cock-up as a chance to review and refresh.  Life can sometimes feel too much under our control.  When we think we’re in charge, it gets very upsetting when it seems to fall apart a little.  So when it goes through a little wobble, look upon it as an opportunity to revise and review, and do it.  Ask yourself what you would start, maintain and stop about what you do, how you do it and with whom you work.  
What could be doing that you don’t do now?  Envision it, plan it, test it out.
What works well, feels good, gets results and is worth continuing?  Remind yourself of it.
And what is just more trouble than its worth, draining your energy and drive?  Ditch it.

Drop some clients – you know the ones, the ones who cost you more than they make you, even if only in opportunity cost or aggro.
Change suppliers.

Reduce a product or service line.

Rework your proposition.

Get fresh and don’t fret.  Because when it all goes wrong we get a chance to grow.

Thinking about it, I might even send the f**kwit colleagues a thank-you card.

PS Just before Christmas, a brand new potential client ran into cash flow problems because of a supplier.  They couldn’t run payroll but needed to get a product run out.  Their staff of 23 young people (and Imean young – from 18 to max 25) worked through the night for two nights to hit the deadline.  Not a whinge heard.  Not a sickie is thrown.  Not a scrap of reduction in quality.

Frankly, it was humbling.  
So, if one person causes you to lose faith, slough that off because there are amazing people around.  
(Just get everything in writing.)