coming back

I'm having a really hard time adjusting to being back to work this week. Okay, that's a lie, I adjusted just fine, but I've never felt it like this before.

When I normally travel I never lose contact with my work life. I have my blackberry, internet access, and cell phone, and have been known to field calls on my days out of the office, even though I'm no longer in charge of the elearning operation at my organization.

But this time I let it all go. I didn't take my blackberry, and with international rates and billing prices for internet use, I didn't touch any technology. Everything that I know is normally stored in my head (I'm slowly making files)and can recall it at the tap of a finger, but with letting it all go, I didn't even think about work all week. So it's taking me a few minutes to actually recall conversations from before my vacation... when normally I can repeat them word for word.

It's interesting to lose control like that. I'm not sure if I like it or not, but I guess that is what total relaxation is. I could get used to it! hehe:) But then I'd get bored and find myself back at work again! But vacation is needed, and I joyfully take my time off and use it - but it has just been an odd experience to be totally relaxed for an entire week.

I met with my problem-child client this morning. Actually the entire one station of the department. This was my first of the mandatory meetings that they are participating in as a team. I walked in loaded for bear. I had all the heavy ammo: the Ground Rules (adopted from the "Skilled Facilitator"), all the specific data of inappropriate behavior to call them on, the power of Corporate not tolerating said behavior behind me, and a flip chart. I even had a team of enforcers (administration) sitting to the side, waiting to back any of the judgements I'd make on performance and to hold them accountable. I had myself prepared if I had to escort a physician out into the hallway and give them a dressing-down on their behavior. I was ready!

I didn't need any of it.

They forgot to mention to me that they started me out with their best station that actually only has superficial process problems, and they all get along well! So, I had a pleasant hour and 1/2 meeting with them, where we talked about all that was going well, and some areas to improve around. One physician even promised to stop scheduling patients during the lunch hour, so the MAs could take their lunch. You would think that's common sense, but apparently not. But that was the most heinous of actions being committed.

Next week.... not so much. I go from one extreme to the complete opposite, and the offending physician in this group has already tried to wiggle out of the meeting. He knows what's coming, and he's not going to like it. But he's going to have to man-up and handle it. I'll have to get the ammo ready again; this time I'll need it.

I've mentioned the Skilled Facilitator a lot recently. I even recommended the book to a friend-of-a-friend who has a slight victim mentality, and isn't having productive conversations to get his needs met. The piece that I really enjoy is the first ground rule about testing assumptions and inferences and the fourth about sharing your reasoning and intent. When I had my break-up conversation with my ex, I went over to his place to talk the day after he broke up with me, I used all 9 of the ground rules. They are really helpful not only in the workplace, but in every interaction with other humans. But, we aren't brought up speaking in that way, so it almost feels unnatural at first. After practicing it becomes human nature, like most other things. Personally I think the formula should be used in relationship counseling, it really works wonders.