How do you handle a crisis?
I handle a crisis in one of two ways. The first, going off the deep end and running around like a chicken with my head cut off. The second, much calmer but still with the slight feeling of running around like a chicken with its head cut off.
No matter what, I'm a chicken without a head. Does that say something about my state of mind that I identify with a headless chicken?
Over the past month or so I have been extremely concerned by my flaws. Now that I've become a supervisor I have to take a lot more responsibility and that can be hard at times. I also have to work on my communication skills. For me, it's easy to come across as bossy or a know-it-all, when really I'm just trying to be productive.
I can easily list a few of my flaws. Here's my Top 5:
1. I'm bossy
2. I'm loud
3. I have a hard time seeing the big picture.
4. I can be distracted easily, sometimes. I try to do multiple things at once.
5. I like to do things my way.
I believe that flaws are only flaws if you don't take the time to cultivate them and turn them into strengths. That's what I've been trying to do for the past month. It's hard to make a flaw into a strength, but it's worth it. So here is my attempt to turn my flaws into strengths.
1. I'm a supervisor of five (soon to be six) girls. All between the ages of 16 and 20. Gotta be a little bossy to make things run smoothly.
2. I used to be a skate guard. When you have to clear the ice of over 50 people (sometimes almost 200), it helps to be able to shout. Plus my lungs are strong from blowing my whistle so much, cause no matter how many times you blow the whistle, yell or wave your arms like an air traffic controller, there are always people who look at you like you should be in the circus.
3. I'm good with details. I focus in on the tiny problems and fix those. My logic is that tiny problems will just stack up until you have this HUGE pile of problems. Plus, I make some pretty awesome signs and sheets. In the past 2 months I've made almost twenty different signs, brochures and sheets for work. Details do matter.
4. I can multi-task, when needed. Try sitting in a box, with four open walls. You have a person on your left with questions about birthdays who is trying to book a party. In front of you there is a line of you with people wanting to pay to skate. Behind you there are coaches and parents wanting keys for locker rooms. To the right of you people want to also know what locker rooms or where the restrooms are.
5. Sometimes, my way is the right way. Just not as often as I would like.
It's all about perspective. What looks like a flaw is just a personality trait, and sometimes your strengths are what bring you down.
I don't always handle situations well at the time (statistically, I'd say 65% of the time I do), but it's all about learning. Some things are avoidable, other things are not. You just have to roll with the punches and realize tomorrow is another day.
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