2-10-10 A Fine Line

As much as many (most?) executives would like to separate their personal and professional lives, it just doesn’t work that way. What you do or say in your personal life can have a direct impact on your professional or work life. Think I’m crazy about that? Well, consider this.

Let’s say you go out after work with some peers. And there is that one person that always drinks just a little (or a lot!) too much. Talks a little too loud. Laughs a little too hard. Tells off-color jokes. You know who I’m talking about --- we’ve all seen that person. Is that so bad? Yea, probably. Why? Because in all likelihood, it doesn’t happen just once. It happens time and time again. And because it is likely that, even though the evening out is between peers, the behavior will get back to the bosses and decision-makers in the company. Do you think this behavior crosses their minds when they work on promotions. I guarantee you that it does. If you are that person, it is likely that you have or will be passed over for promotion or opportunities because of this.

Here’s another example. Let’s say you are out to dinner with a spouse. And for whatever reason, you end up being rude to the server. Think people don’t notice? You are wrong. And while it may not happen that particular time, there will be times that your behavior is seen be someone you work with. You probably won’t even notice they are there. But it is a small world, and sooner or later, your behavior will be observed by someone that can make an impact on your professional life. If you are that observer, wouldn’t you think twice about promoting a person that can’t work well with others?

And finally a more benign example. It really used to irritate me when I was at the gym, working hard on the stairmaster, and one of my employees would corner me to talk about work. I mean, really, I was there to work out and forget work! But I finally realized that my job didn’t stop when I walked out of the factory door. That there would be many times in my life when the line was blurred. That there would be employees/peers/bosses/customers that were more comfortable talking to me in a setting away from work. What they had to say was important to them and for me, I often learned very valuable information if I would just stop and listen. And most important, I finally realized that was part of my job!

So yes, it is a very fine line between your professional life and your personal life. And as an executive, your personal life reflects on your public or professional life. What does your personal life say about your executive capabilities and tendencies?

Cheers!