My life has become a never-ending quest. 
Evenings and weekends, I’m roaming the streets of my town in search of Pokémon.
Yes, my boys are hooked on the latest gaming craze: Pokémon Go. Pokémon Go is a mobile app that takes gamers through the physical world in search of virtual Pokémon. Pokémon are cartoon creatures possessing a wide range of special powers. Some are cute. Others are fierce. All are exciting and useful to an experienced Pokémon gamer. Through the lens of my smartphone, we’ve found Pokémon hiding in our yard, chilling at the pool, and hitching a ride in the backseat of our car.
During my workdays, I’m also searching. I’m not searching for Pokémon. (Since I work from home, you’ll have to trust me on this one.) Instead, I’m on the hunt for people challenges.
Most of us who work are familiar with people challenges: Coworkers, managers, or employees whose action or inaction gets in the way of a job well done. People challenges make it more difficult to achieve professional goals. They make work less satisfying and more stressful.
Unlike Pokémon, people challenges are not fun or cute. So why am I searching for them? I am searching for the top people challenges that APQC members face while at work so that APQC can uncover trends and develop and share solutions.
Now, if there were a People Challenges Go app, I would just visit your office and through the magic of virtual reality have your people challenges revealed via my smartphone screen.
- On top of your computer, I might find a watchful micromanager.
- By the coffee machine, I’d see your “I’ll get to it when I get to it” teammate talking about the latest episode of Game of Thrones.
- In conference room A, I’d see a “that’s not how we’ve always done it” project leader.
- In your boss’s office, there’d be a “take all the credit” coworker.
- Roaming the hallways, I’d spot a “can’t follow directions” teammate.
- Heading out the door to attend a client meeting will be your super busy leader who hasn’t had time to read your latest email or take your call about that important initiative you need her to support.
But, to my knowledge, no such app exists—yet. So, I am going old school. In place of an app, I’m conducting a quick poll. Please take a few minutes to check off your top 5 people challenges at work. And, if you are so inclined, there’s optional space to vent. Go ahead. It’ll feel good. In exchange for your sharing, my promise is to share the results with you and to use them to design research and create resources aimed at uncovering solutions to your people challenges.
This survey is now closed. The summary report will be posted soon, so stay tuned! If you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact me.