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Connecting the Dots When There Aren’t AnyHuman beings have a deep need to feel in control of their environment and the events that affect them. In fact, the extremes people will go to maintain a sense of control is the impetus for a lot of the dysfunctional behaviors you see in organizations. Leaders
aren’t immune from this phenomenon, the more so because they often believe that they should be able to control things, for isn’t that what we expect from out leaders? The deepening economic crisis of the past few weeks has brought home that feeling of no control to all of us. Who hasn’t felt at least a twinge of fear, a moment of panic, as we watch the lines on the graphs plummet into uncharted financial territory? So I was
particularly taken with a recent news story on NPR about some new research revealing that when people are not in control, they are more likely to see patterns where there in fact are none. "People see false patterns in all types of data, imagining trends in stock markets, seeing faces in static, and detecting conspiracies between acquaintances. This
suggests that lacking control leads to a visceral need for order – even imaginary order," said Jennifer Whitson, a professor at the University of Texas McComb School of Business and one of the researchers. (To listen to the complete NPR interview with Whitson, click here.) We are watching this psychological dynamic being played out in
the personal, workplace, and political arenas all around us these days. The need to make sense of a complex and chaotic world drives us to some pretty strange places. Human beings have evolved into perfect machines for making meaning out of what they observe, and when they can’t do that, they go ahead and make things up, just to avoid that feeling of no control. And usually, the stories they make up are
not good ones; in our darkest places, it seems that most of us want to blame somebody else for the bad things that befall us. As a leader, you can expect the coming weeks and months to bring plenty of scary stories, fear, and downright crazy behavior to the organization you lead. The job of leadership in these tough times is to help people manage their fear and other negative
emotions, and to help them stay grounded in reality so they can continue to be productive. Here are a few things you can do in these circumstances: - First, examine your own thinking for faulty assessments. Before you offer your own theories about what’s going on in the world, stop and check to make sure the facts support your story. Look closely for instances when you might be connecting dots that don’t exist.
- Communicate openly and often with the people you lead. Even if you don’t have the answers they want, it’s important to share whatever solid information you do have about the situation affecting your organization, so they can make better judgments for themselves.
- Tell the truth about what you know and what you don’t know. Don’t worry, they
can handle it, and they’ll be more inclined to follow you when the going gets really tough if they know you’re being straight with them.
- Admit your own mistakes and tell people what you’ve learned from them. Here’s a chance to model the kind of behavior you’d like to see throughout your organization.
- Keep the conversation focused on what must be done to move into the future. People will naturally tend to look to the past as they seek explanations for
what’s going on today. That’s fine, but don’t let it go on for too long. By looking to the future, you can counter the urge to make up stories that only make things worse.
Times are tough, and more than a little frightening. A coach can support you in rising to the occasion and being the kind of leader your organization needs to survive and thrive. Let’s talk. Call (410)626-6008, or email info@bloomfieldassociates.com. 
According to a recent study by The Conference Board, 25% of American internet users spend time on social networking sites, and about half of them visit these sites more
than once a day. Young adults – including many in Gen Y -- are being hit hardest by rising health care costs, a recent study found. Nearly 70% of adults aged 25-34 say the economic downturn has made it more difficult to pay for health care expenses. By contrast, those over 55 say their ability to pay has not been affected. Researchers in the field of human-computer interaction have found that people who are
overwhelmed with electronic messages lose twice as many IQ points as those under the influence of marijuana. 
Transliteracy The ability to read and write using multiple media, including traditional print media, electronic devices, and online tools. Think of the stereotypical teenage girl, and you’ve got the concept. 
 First You Have to Row a Little Boat: Reflections on Life and Living, by Richard Bode.
What I like about it: A good friend reminded me this week about this old favorite of mine, so I picked it up again and dipped in. It’s a reminiscence about learning to sail as a child, and later on coming to see how those lessons have a more universal message about how to navigate the tides and shoals of life. If you know me, you understand the appeal.
Beth Bloomfield
Executive Coach, Strategy Consultant
Principal, Bloomfield Associates
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"True stability results when presumed order and presumed disorder are balanced. A truly stable system expects the unexpected, is prepared to be disrupted, waits to be transformed."
-- Tom Robbins |  |
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Great news – our new book, On Becoming a Leadership Coach: A Holistic Approach to Coaching Excellence, edited by Chris Wahl, Clarice Scriber, and Beth Bloomfield, has been selected for the book store at the International Coach Federation (ICF) annual conference in Montreal, Nov. 13-15. Contributors include faculty members of the Georgetown Leadership Coaching certificate program, and several of them will be at
the conference, along with Beth. If you’re a Georgetown coaching grad, meet us there at an alumni reception or dinner (look for information about when and where at the conference.) Copies of the book will be available for sale at the ICF conference, or you can order the book on Amazon.com
. A portion of the proceeds will go to charitable causes. Just published in August, the first printing is already sold out and we are into a second printing! Be sure to check out Beth Bloomfield’s A Different Optic blog, dedicated to exploring what makes for good leadership, how to help leaders develop their skills and capacities, and how to create organizations that nurture and support good leadership.
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