The Creativity Blues                                    7/31/06

I try to be creative in the work that I do
But the madness at work is crazy…it’s like working in a zoo

I cannot seem to find the time to think of new ideas
It seems like I have been doing the same thing for years

The day starts out and off I go running
Doing my tasks that I know are not even stunning

Oh to have time to be more creative in my work
To get out of my box and starting giving things a torque

I am not encouraged by my boss or current leadership
To take the time to just start letting my brain rip

Creativity takes time and an environment that supports it
Without those elements, new ideas you will not hit

Step back and think about what you can do right now
To change your workplace and give it some pow

This will not happen by just telling people to do so
It will take constant feedback and letting people go

To quiet places to reflect on their work process
To think about ways to do more with less

Or to change the way something operates
This time and thought will open the thinking floodgates

For you see creativity does not come from a dictated order
It comes from a workplace that has loosened up its border

From constraints and frustrations that shut the brain down
And makes everyone walk around wearing a frown

This does not promote new ideas and solutions you see
For ideas come from within and need to be let free

Create mini-sabbaticals to process new thoughts
Let people debrief a project after it has been bought

Instead of jumping right into the next project
Let those who worked on it take time to agree or object

To things that went well or fell apart along the way
Give them an opportunity to speak their mind and have their say

Find ways to promote this within your organization
And you will find you have a whole new operation!

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Why Don’t You Trust Me?                                            6/4/06

Ethics ethics…what is all of the fuss
Don’t they know I am one they can trust?

Why do I have to attend this training?
The lecture and enforcement is quite draining

I don’t do the things they are talking about
I am not even sure why they would have doubt

I have never stolen a pen or taken any supplies
I have always been honest and very wise

Call in sick when I was feeling just fine
I have not done that or even pulled that line

I try to be respectful to my coworkers and boss
Why are they calling me into their office, I am at a loss

They just told me I have spent too much time on the phone
That my internet usage was out of the corporate zone

I did not spread the rumor about Suzy or Joe
I think they are crazy blaming me…what do they know

I have been honest I tell you this is so true
They don’t believe me oh what’s a girl to do?

I suppose I will look deep and hard at how I spend my time
Think about what I am doing on the corporate dime

I will honor their tools and materials as if it were my own
I will not think of it as entitlement or even a corporate loan

Respect is what is important and the standards I shall follow
Because if I don’t my job will be gone and my wallet quite hollow!

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No Strings Attached                                     6/22/06

It was an odd email for me to get
One that made me think about who I had met

I try to be friendly to people I meet
I spend time talking and take time to greet

But on this occasion I was taken by surprise
I did not know what was really in his eyes

Sexual Harassment can be very subtle in nature
It is not easy to spot and not always so pure

A kind remark or comment about your dress
I pat on the back or a quick shoulder caress

Can be the difference and the distinguishing factor
Between what is right or wrong about how some tries to lure

What we take as an initial compliment or act of kindness
Can be the start of a problem but it is hard to guess

Whether it was a genuine compliment someone is sharing
Or if they are really trying to look through you, beyond what you are wearing

For this issue is not one that is pure black and white
It is one that a person might need to stand up and fight

The perpetrator will try to say that you gave the look
That you were giving them the eye and hoping they would hook

Their rationalization is part of their core strategy and plan
To make you feel like you almost told them they can

Don’t let them fool you and call them out on the table
Make sure they know that they will not be able

To get away with this and do this to you or anyone else again
Make sure it is documented and let them know when to say when

Involve the right legal parties to ensure they do not continue
Because if it is done to you, you can bet others are in the queue

As I think back to his email he hoped I would catch
Meet me some time for coffee, no strings attached.

Jennifer M. Webster, PhD