When The Love Is Gone

Like many Australians, read ‘tennis lovers’, I watched with interest the interview with Bernard Tomic recently. Before I go on, I must say I do not feel sorry for Bernie but do feel sad for him. Sad for the waste of talent and what he may, and still may, have achieved.

The behaviours being displayed by Tomic for all the world to see, can be seen playing out in any business anywhere. Okay, so we may not all be receiving fines for speeding in our Ferraris, but there will be demonstrations of an ‘I don’t care’ attitude.

It is not uncommon to find people working in jobs because they have to. These jobs satisfy their lower order security needs. What this means, is they are there simply to receive the income they need to pay their mortgage, rent, bills, put food on the table and support their family. As Tomic stated, he is basically playing tennis because he has obligations and he likes living a certain lifestyle and tennis provides that lifestyle. His lifestyle may be more exorbitant than ours but the underlying intention is the same.

So what may these people look like in your workplace? What behaviours are they demonstrating? Basically, they will be doing only what they have to. Some will try to fly under the radar. They will avoid making decisions and be followers. They may commit to doing something but won’t do it until pressed many times for an outcome. They will set predictable goals which they know they will easily achieve. These are mainly passive defensive behaviours but you may also see aggressive defensive behaviours as well. Both protect their security.

When I see people within workplaces not utilising their potential I still rue the missed opportunities. But at the end of the day it is their choice.

As a 12 year old, Tomic said he ‘loved tennis from the ground to the sky’. Imagine what could happen if he gets that feeling back. Have your employees fell out of love with their role? What is your business and them missing out on?