Walk into a department in any company, or into a small business – and often you’ll have an early impression of the overall mood. I don’t mean the receptionist – I mean the mood and tone of the employees and the environment as a whole.
I’ve worked as a consultant now for many years. I’ve walked into a lot of businesses. There are businesses you walk into and people smile. They have photos on their desks, perhaps even company trophies and awards. They are genuinely interested in greeting you, as if they are extending their pride or pleasure in being an employee at that company.
Than there are the others. Desks are often sterile as if that person feels they are only there temporarily, marking time, and wanting as little connection between their person and the environment they work in as possible.
Some environments resound with laughter, and lighthearted conversation among friends as tasks are performed. People move about the office with a lightness of foot. Others are tense and leaden.
In some environments when the boss approaches, people primp and sit up straight – but only in pride of their association with the company and a desire to be seen at their best.
In other environments when the boss approaches a perceptible fear sets in. Color flushes from the face. People try to look busy and focused as adrenlin courses through their veins and they count the seconds until the threat passes.
In the best environments, the boss is respected and geniuinely liked as well. The employees seek his approval with determination.
In the worst environments, the boss is feared. People have become subject to an intimidation. Whether the boss just yells, throws things, demeans others, or slams doors – he is genuinely feared and his sheer presence strikes terror in the hearts of those who work for him.
One of the reasons I wanted to have my own business was so that I’d never again be forced into a situation where I felt intimidated, disrespected or disliked.
As a child I was easily intimidated. As an adult I am not, however I do get very angry with people who try to manipulate me this way.
I’ve known all kinds of people. Nobody, short of having a weapon pointed at me or a threat to my family, intimidates me the way I was intimidated as a child. No person will ever hold that kind of power over me.
At 46 I’m firmly committed to never again being subject to any human being I dislike, or anyone who tries to manipulate or abuse me.
That is a sense of freedom.
