That's Not My Monkey: 1

Product Information

Does that mean that I advocate for people to be carefree, take no responsibility, and make no attempts to change things for the better? No, not at all. Like with everything in life, there are benefits, but also detrimental effects of applying this particular mindset. Indeed, Stephen R. Covey, who wrote an afterword to the Harvard Business Review article, pointed out that the monkey management solution, while ahead of its time, is fairly dictatorial. “‘Command and control’ as a management philosophy is all but dead, and ’empowerment’ is the word of the day,” he noted. That doesn’t mean monkey management is outdated in today’s workplace, however. The key to success, says Covey, is developing employees. That, too, is hard work, however. First, it requires the support of the entire business culture so managers are rewarded for developing people and delegating responsibilities. Second, it requires that managers actually want to delegate monkeys. Most managers, says Covey, recognize that employees are underutilized; still, many can’t let go of the monkeys, perhaps because they subconsciously fear that giving employees power will increase their own vulnerability. You can give them advice, but if they aren’t willing to listen, then they will have to bear the consequences of their actions, and not you. You aren’t the one that’s responsible for their misfortunes if they choose to ignore your good advice. Example of, “not my circus, not my monkeys in life”

nie mój cyrk, nie moje małpy - Wiktionary, the free dictionary

Alignment level 3: Behaviors. What behavioral changes need to occur to produce the desired results? Once thoughts and emotions are in alignment, the manager has to act—and that can be difficult in and of itself. Ineffective behaviors include procrastination or avoidance. In regard to our social circle, not my circus not my monkeys can stand for the fact that you’re all equals. A group of friends that act like a brand of brothers.

This sounds easier than it actually is. You probably know you can’t simply give monkeys to employees and expect them to go about their daily business. That’s because when you delegate responsibilities, you have to ensure that employees have the desire and ability to accept them — which isn’t always the case. Alignment level 1: Thoughts. What thoughts are driving the manager’s behavior? Are his or her ideas in alignment with the desired behavior? Examples of ineffective thoughts include “No one can do this as well as I can” and “It will take me longer to coach him to do this than to do it myself.” Sound familiar? Most mid- to senior-level managers have carried their fair share of monkeys —and the best of them know that the key to avoiding these problems is developing a culture of accountability — starting with yourself. Learn how monkeys jump: subordinate-imposed responsibilities

Not My Circus Not My Monkeys - Old Polish Proverb - Polish Not My Circus Not My Monkeys - Old Polish Proverb - Polish

This means that while you should try to help your friends as well as you could, they’re still responsible for their own lives. This means that they’re accountable for their own happiness and successes, but also for their own failures and unhappiness. Agree on a status update. Never accept ad-hoc status updates, as they could be monkeys in disguise. Instead, after transferring initiative, make another appointment, this one for your employee to provide you with a progress report. Say your piece. Give out good, truthful information. If they’re willing to listen, great. If they don’t want to listen, that’s on them, you shouldn’t lose any sleep over it. Remember and repeat after me, not my circus, not my problem. If you’re worried all the time about what other people are thinking or doing, you’re not going to find contentment and happiness in life. That’s why you need to learn and practice the ability to let go off the things that are unimportant and the stuff you can’t control.It signifies that it has nothing to do with you, and that you don’t want to get affected in any way. [1] https://www.heartbeatinternational.org/not-my-circus-not-my-monkeys colloquial ) It's none of my business; indicates that one is not responsible for controlling or changing a volatile or delicate situation.

Not My Circus, Not My Monkeys | Psychology Today Not My Circus, Not My Monkeys | Psychology Today

There are those of us who are burdened with a constant feeling of responsibility who have the impression that they need to carry the weight of the world on their shoulders, even if they don’t. those that are self-originated, such as projects you’ve initiated (discretionary responsibilities) and problems you’ve chosen to resolve for your employees (subordinate-imposed responsibilities). What you can do is set a good example. Practice what you preach, and hope that the people around you are inspired by your perseverance and quality of work. They might just copy your work attitude as a result. Example of, “not my circus, not my monkeys in the social circle” And while being a responsible, caring adult is great, attributing everyone’s problems and concerns to oneself is not healthy, and not realistic either. No matter how much of a responsible person you are, you can’t control everything in life. Likewise, it isn’t up to you to control and regulate everything going on in our society, either.The not my circus, not my problem attitude conveys that you don’t want to get involved into someone else’s drama and problems. Yet, it’s a metaphor, which means it shouldn’t be taken literally, and is just another manner to describe a situation, or object. Learn to say this is not my circus, these are not my monkeys in your daily life if others won’t take your good advice, or if you can’t do anything about the situation. Be it in your social life, or your professional life. In accepting the monkey, the manager has voluntarily assumed a position subordinate to his subordinate.” —”Management Time: Who’s Got the Monkey?” transfer the monkeys – permanently When you’re not in control, or not higher up in the social hierarchy, then there’s not much you can do to control those around you except setting the right example and hoping that others follow your lead.