Turf Wars

​When team members appear to threaten your position on the project.

Oddly, Kevin has been come quite protective of his house and yard.  He doesn't share well with the neighbouring cats or dogs who pass-by and definitely not the rogue rabbit, (Harriett the Hare to be precise) who enjoys the occasional sleep by the shrubs in the front of the house.

​Perhaps the fear or anxiety of new team members or another individual being added to the firm is primal for us.  It may have taken Og and Zoga time to adjust to new members of the tribe.  If the new member will contribute to the clan effectively, if the new member can hunt, cook, or draw on the cave, OR if the new member will be better at everything and make Og or Zoga look like lame game.

​Being threatened by others we don't know or experiencing fear that our jobs are becoming redundant is a very  normal human feeling.  How we let the feelings take over our thoughts and job performance is what turns these feelings into abnormal behaviour that can cause chaos in our work and home life.

​If you are working at your best capacity, and you are regularly performing positively on your team, an added individual could be there to assist as there is more work to do than you realize or as you are a steady worker, your talents may be needed elsewhere and someone needs to take-over your duties on the current project.   If you are constantly confrontational and underwhelming, then you could certainly be tested by upper management to see if you are worth the aggravation - if you out-perform everyone.

​Fear starts our defence engines.  Senses become on high-alert and our focus turns to everything about the new member - what are they saying?  how are they saying it?  what did that mean? how do they dress?  when did they arrive at work?  are they staying overtime enough?  The best defence against this fear is ignorance.  Your performance and your work should be what you are concerned about.  How do YOU behave to others around you?  How do YOU contribute to your team?  How can YOU be more effective?  How can YOU be the best at what you do?

​Worrying about the office politics can use valuable emotional energy.  Sometimes decisions and actions are being made with knowledge that you should not be concerned about.  There could be potential projects coming that require more staff, or there could be someone in another department leaving and they want to see if this new member can work on a team.  A good leader will share enough information to ease the concerns of the team or firm so that fear doesn't run rampant and affect production.  Understanding that you are ALWAYS replaceable should be your motivation to do your best at work on a regular basis.  (​Can Kevin be Replaced?  will be the next blog...)

​After Kevin saw Harriett laying in the front yard, he proceeded to sit in her spot after she left to "leave his scent". 
I haven't seen her back for sometime.  Maybe by proving he was doing his job as a cat she found another yard.