business@large: Workplace GPS's In The Future?

Tag : GPS system
business@large: Workplace GPS's In The Future? Story Discussion Font Size: Default font size Larger font size
BY MIKE HOBAN
Times Columnist | Saturday, September 06, 2008 | No comments posted.
Wouldn't it be marvelous if many of those sticky workplace issues-- how to constructively deal with the jerk boss or jerk colleague,the discussion with a direct report about her attendance problem,the inter-department conflicts, etc., could be more easily resolvedwith the help of a GPS-like device, an "expert system?"

Many drivers today use a Global Positioning System, GPS for short.It relies on a huge data base of street maps and it providesspecific directions to take all of the guess work -- and theindividual judgment -- out of a journey because it relies on expertsoftware to get you from Point A to Point B.

Difficult interactions between people at work are also journeys ofsorts.

There is a desired outcome -- a destination -- for each party butoften our judgments and emotions can send us veering off course andwe could arrive at a different and undesirable destination. Butperhaps some day soon an "IPS" could change all that - anInteraction Positioning System.

Here's a scenario: You have a meeting planned with your boss totell him that his overbearing leadership style is stiflingcreativity and is decimating the morale in the team. So you programyour IPS device and choose from a number of desired "destinations"for the meeting (examples: communicating a problem, gaining acommitment from him to make some changes in the way he leads).

Like with a GPS, you enter some additional information. Perhapsthere are choices for the other person's general style and demeanor("blunt; bullying"), your general style and demeanor ("analytical;non-aggressive") and a few other variables, like how much time youhave allocated for the meeting. Maybe your horoscope signs.

You then walk into his office, put the device in front of you andpress "start." The device prompts you to state the purpose of themeeting to your boss, which you do, and the meeting "journey"begins. The IPS, through its microphone, mini-cameras and voiceemotion sensors, tracks both of you to ensure you are staying onthe desired route, like today's GPS's do.

Uh-oh. Your boss begins to get defensive and the IPS picks up on itand instructs you to use some empathy skills and to restate theissues. Soon you're back on track as the IPS gives you moreinstructions. Within 15 minutes, your boss has agreed on a fewthings he'll do differently in managing the team. The real-time IPSexpert coaching has helped resolve another workplace issue.

OK, there will be a few bugs to work out. Maybe the boss in thiscase will have his own IPS programmed to coach him to bebelligerent in the meeting and it becomes a case of dueling IPS's.Or a mischievous hacker could get into the data base and createsilly or inappropriate prompts ("Poke the other person in the eyeright now!").

But some creative soul will figure it out and workplaces will bebetter for it. And an upgraded -- and expensive -- version will beavailable for use with your teenage kids.

Opinions expressed solely are those of the writer. Mike Hoban, ofCrown Point, is a senior consultant for an international leadershipdevelopment and training firm. Send mail to him c/o The Times, ore-mail him at business-at-large@sbcglobal.net .