fester
: to become painful and infected
: to become worse as time passes
I remember getting a scrape on my arm as a child while playing football in the yard with neighborhood kids. It was nothing out of the ordinary, or so I thought. After a week, it was still red and had gotten a bit bigger. A few days later it was white and not the most pleasant to look at. Eventually, this puppy needed some attention and I finally decided to tell someone about it. This is when I first learned of the funny word Fester.
We all have blemishes, sores, and scrapes, but when left unattended, some worsen — some fester.
The reality is that every relationship, family, team and company also have things that fester. Take a minute and think about your team at work or the project you’re working on with the organization you serve. Think about the significant relationships or collaborations in your life…Is anything festering? Your group and team cultures are growing and changing every day.
No relationship or group is completely without blemishes or sores, but some are better at attending to them. Some are attentive to the sores that bubble up and the issues that need to be addressed sooner rather than later. They respond with care, with timeliness, and with precision. They approach issues head on and make time to “adDress the Wound.” They understand that their team culture is created by how they Think, Act & Interact each day.
The truth is, most wounds are not addressed with just one band aid. In fact, most require an initial washing, application of antibiotic cream, and changing of the bandages over time. Our relationships require similar care. Getting back in alignment with the important relationships and teams in our life and work takes intentional effort. It requires us to shift our mindset from the traditional “reactive care only when an emergency arises” into “preventative care mode.”
So, if there is something festering within a relationship in your life or with a team you’re on, I hope you’ll make time to “adDress the Wound.” It doesn’t have to be confrontational or overly-dramatic in nature, but the best leaders and teams respond with the care, timeliness, and the direct communication that is needed. It doesn’t have to be complex because in most cases a simple, direct conversation is best.
Here are some reminders for going into that next next important conversation to “adDress the Wound”:
- Take a deep breath. Honor the human element and stay rooted in a desire for progress.
- Name what is working and what you appreciate about the person / group.
- Identify what is festering or what specifically you see that is an opportunity for improvement.
- State what commitments you are willing to make to help improve the situation and ask what requests the other person has of you?
- Clarify the next actions necessary to keep the wound from festering.
It is so much easier to avoid the blemish and hope it goes away rather than caring for it before it becomes infected and a real problem. But, every time you provide a little preventative care, you’re happier (and healthier) in the long run. The best leaders, teams and organizations on the planet are the ones who are committed to preventative care and able to deal with issues before they become toxic and infected.
Good luck on the next leg of your journey! You may want to pack some extra ointment.
Travel Gracefully,
Jason
Jason Barger is a globally celebrated author, keynote speaker, and leadership consultant. More importantly, he’s striving to be an above average father, husband, and friend.
Follow on Twitter @JasonVBarger and learn more at JasonVBarger.com
PS. For those of you wondering more about “What Is Culture?” Check out these past posts that help define what is culture and how important it is to whatever you may be trying to accomplish in life and work!
Culture Eats Strategy For Lunch and Dinner Too