Group dynamics

There is little reason to suspect it might be different over here, and no wonder. We have become enamoured with self-imposed deadlines and with the adrenaline rush they produce. Many believe that chasing the next deadline is what makes them important. The reality is that most of our frenetic ‘busy-ness’ is a way to avoid thinking and doing what is most important. There’s a big difference between being busy and being productive.

Many people find it difficult to consistently focus their energies on the things that matter most to them. This is especially important if you work in social housing: most people get into it by accident but what keeps them here is what the sector is trying to do – to make a difference to other people’s lives. Sometimes you can get so busy, you can lose sight of this. People become unhappy when they lose their sense of purpose, when they feel they’re not making a difference, and if you’re unhappy, you’ll be ineffective and stressed.

So it’s important to remind yourself why you’re staying in this business. I recommend that once a month you sit down and ask yourself, ‘What difference have I made this month in the lives of tenants?’ If you’re involved in non-tenant facing roles such as finance or computing, your work should help the organisation be more efficient. You can ask, ‘how have I helped my organisation help tenants?’ If you can’t think of anything, you need to think about changing your way of working and how you prioritise your time.

When what you say and what you do are ‘congruent’, we call this ‘personal alignment’. Take the time to look at whether your work priorities tally with your own values and beliefs. Remember: if there is a difference between your words and your behaviour then everyone will believe your behaviour – actions do speak louder than words.