Forget Kindergarten! I Learned About Workplaces From Batman!

Forget Kindergarten I Learned About Workdistributionspolitiks From Batman Forget Kindergarten I Learned About Workplaces From Batman So slide down the Batpole with me, and lets exploreThere Are Villains in Our WorkplacesThere are Jokers in the workplace people who purposely toss obstacles in front of you, hoping youll make schwimmbad decisions. Theyve put super glue on the steps of the corporate ladder in hopes of keeping you from climbing while climbing right over youWorse, they are usually there to point the finger AT YOU when things go wrong. Youve been warnedBatman taught me there are Catwomen in our lives or should I say, Catty Women. And Catty Men I learned that these Catty people are out there talking smack about others. They gossip and speak of you in a negative light.Why do they do this? Is it something you represent thatthey cannot have? Is it your brilliance? Your ability to take risks? Is it because you took the honest road? A different road? An unconventional road? Whatever the case, beware Sadly, these Catty people have nine corporate lives.Remember Mr. Freeze? Hes right there in the corner office. The Mr. Freezes of the workplace are those stone-cold, cold-hearted people who just wont let you into their lives (or offices) no matter how hard you try. They shut you out. Theyre always on the defensive. Theyre guarded. They share nothing personal and usually have limited interpersonal skills.While theyreoften good at their jobs, they can make for a very unhappy workplace when inmanager/leadership roles - especially when they are your manager/leaderLook around right now. Who in your workplace wants to rule and dominate the kingdom? Who expects you to take their word as law of the land? Who believes that your ideas and opinions dont matter? Yes, this is the CorporateKing Tut. King Tut will tell you youre empowered the keyword here being tell. What you actually areis empowered to do thingstheir way Navigating the King becomes a job in itself.Reme mber the Riddler? How he teased and tormented How he would give clues to keep Batman and the versicherungspolice confused Sadly, there are those in the workplace who think (withholding) information is power. Withholding information is not power it kills employee souls and stops great things from happening.Even today, 50 years later, such characters are walking halls and entering conference rooms across the globe. And for whatever reason, leadership keeps them around at the expense of organizational happiness and productivity.But, Theres Good NewsWe all have a Robin (or two) out there those people who have your back who are with you through it all. They are business partners, mentees, teammates, BFFs, spouses, and coworkers.Is there a Robin in your life? Or two? The ones that look out for you, care for you and want you to succeed? They know your next move and are one step ahead of you,making you look good. They let you teach them while at the same timeoffering you advice even thoug h you kick and scream at times. Theyveshared youthful wisdom that helps you grow andkeeps you relevant and current.And we all (should) have our version of Batmans utility belt but oursmay not include cans of shark repellent, Batarangs with five-story-high ropes attached, or 6 ft. x 6 ft. bulletproof shields. Still, Batmans utility belt taught me the importance of having and taking advantage of the right available resources.Today, from my utility belt I might pull a bicycle. My bicycle is my place to escape, think, create, and solve problems a process I call Bikestorming. Smartphones have become modern-day utility belts, too They make us more efficient (with productivity tools) and smarter (with knowledge and reading apps).And of course,my beanie cap (uh, my costume?), on which I have built a brand. Its a reminder to go out every day, be who I am, and do the one thing I believe infight the crime of unhappiness in the workplacewhile infusing fun (with a purpose) into as many aspect s of the employee experience as possibleWhats in your utility belt?Kindergarten, ShmindergartenKindergarten taught me to take a nap. But that campy fun 1960s showtaught me life and business lessons. After reading this, Ihope that you remove or better manage the villainsin your life, stock your utility belt with the right success tools, and surround yourself with lots of Robins.Oh, and if you ever run into me carrying a turkey baster and a package of clay, you can bet your life Im RECESSitating an organization before itneeds to be resuscitated