Shifting Your Inner Scripts

Gallup research today shows that 74% of American workers are disengaged clock-watchers who cannot wait to go home. Like bad personal relationships most of us blame rather than take action and move on. Do you dread going to work (or going home)? Blame arrives in subtle and overt forms, such as “If I do this …, then this … will happen (so what’s the point).” To shift the “blame script” requires each person hold themselves 100% accountable for their affect on the organization’s goals (or family dynamics).

Case in point: Bruce is in the health care industry and he wrote: “When I demonstrate courage in the form of honesty, integrity and sincerity I experience the old adage ‘he who has the power makes the rules’ prevails. Not everyone where I work appreciates courage. So what’s the point in being real if my honesty is not appreciated? The act of courage comes from being unwilling to take a defeatist attitude or blame. Instead, I choose to push the issue to upper management (knowing small attacks may be launched). I am accountable for my potential demise so I am prepared to interview someplace else.” In this situation Bruce is willing to walk away from a career or group. Someone else may be willing to happily relinquish power to the group. Both perspectives expose a primary level of focus and the scripts that support the stance. Our day to day actions are driven by our set of beliefs, such as who you trust or mistrust. Join me next week to learn more about Bruce’s dilemma. 

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Sandra Ford Walston is known as The Courage Expert and innovator of StuckThinking™. She is an organizational effectiveness consultant, speaker, internationally published author of bestseller COURAGE, trainer and courage coach. She is certified in the Enneagram and MBTI®. Please visit www.sandrawalston.com.