Let ’em dance.
Even though it makes you nervous, and even though it might make you a tad uncomfortable, it’s critical as a leader that you let folks be themselves. (And frankly, it’s just as important that you be a real, flawed, open human being too.) Sure, there are matters of professional propriety in certain situations that might prevent certain versions of craziness from being outwardly expressed; but really, why wouldn’t you want your employees to be themselves?
When you try to clamp down too hard on this, the side effect is that you almost start forcing people to be two people at the same time: who they are when they’re not at work, and then their “work persona.” What you don’t want is a boring workplace where employees look, talk, and act like corporate cogs. They’re individuals who are creative in their own ways. They have thoughts, opinions, and ideas. Some will be good; others won’t. But you want to hear them either way. Don’t you?
You want them to be creative. You want them to care enough to have ideas about your organization. You want them to be comfortable enough that they’ll bring up a crazy idea because they think it just might work and help propel your organization forward.
Don’t fall into the trap of trying to make all of your employees look, talk, and act a certain way. Liberate them to be themselves as they work to help your organization excel. For some folks, that’ll mean they’re quiet and reserved (note I didn’t say they get to be rude and distant). For other folks, that’ll mean they sing, dance, and just get jiggy with it from time to time. Good for them.
Let ’em dance.
Wow! This is so true – freedom of expression is priceless (as long as no one else is offended in the process)
Thanks, Sherry! Glad you could stop by the site. Hope to see you around!
Beautiful.
I’ve said exactly that for years. When I would mentor one of my people who were complaining that we couldn’t just tell people what to do, my response was always that, “You have to let them dance. Hopefully they’ll learn to like the song we’re singing.” Well captured.
Thanks, Geoff! Glad you could stop by and chime in. Looking forward to hearing more from you!
Wow, almost exactly the message I gave to my employees in our last CU newsletter, except about laughter. Great post!!
Hi Matt,
Just read an article by Underground HR where the writer asserted many HR people support you stance the brass outside of HR is distrustful of employees and leans towards controlling employees. How can HR professional sell CEO’s etc. on letting people be themselves as a proftiable decision.
We totally roll this way; our staff are encourage to take their uniform t’s and “mess with them”. They can do anything to it as long at it stay appropriate (no midriffs) and still has a company logo. We’ve seen some AMAZING designs!
This is awesome! I’d love to hear more…