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. In short, it could be translated as having the same meaning of “I mind my own business” or ‘’it’s none of my business’’, but in a broader sense, it’s usually used to enhance the fact that you are not the one to judge someone else’s actions, even when you don’t necessarily agree with them. As if the mess someone else has found himself in, is not your mess to worry about, and the people taking part in that mess are not the ones you can control. Not My Circus Not My Monkeys Origin

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

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.This translates nicely to the English equivalent of ‘’Where there is smoke, there is fire.’’ Or that nothing happens on its own. And while being a responsible, caring adult is great, attributing everyone’s problems and concerns to oneself is not healthy, and not realistic either. This is so like the frustration of depressed people who devote their energy to thinking and talking over problems over which they have no control. They are trying to be the ringmaster in someone else's circus. For example: 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.

not my circus, not my monkeys - Wiktionary, the free dictionary not my circus, not my monkeys - Wiktionary, the free dictionary

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” Where a man is in a hurry, the devil is happy’’. This one is to remind you to take things slowly and carefully. 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. This translates literally as in ‘’to push someone into a bottle’’, but its English equivalent is ‘’to pull someone’s leg.’’ 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.

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” Not my circus" is code: you are not the ringmaster here. You can watch the show, and certainly decide whether you stay in that tent, but you cannot control what happens there. Learning which circus is yours can diminish your stress remarkably. Figure out if this is your circus. Ask: The not my circus, not my problem attitude conveys that you don’t want to get involved into someone else’s drama and problems.

Rid Yourself of Monkeys Employee Management Tips: Rid Yourself of Monkeys

Like with everything in life, there are benefits, but also detrimental effects of applying this particular mindset.

Other Famous Polish Proverbs 

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

Thats-not-my-monkey - Puppets By Post Thats-not-my-monkey - Puppets By Post

If you are interested in proverbs, here are some of the most used ones for you to get to know , a combination of older and more modern ones, as there are hundreds to choose from! 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. The Polish proverb ‘’ Nie mój cyrk, nie moje małpy translates to "Not my circus, not my monkeys ’ ’,it is difficult to find its English equivalent.

Not My Circus Not My Monkeys Origin

Alignment level 2: Moods. What emotions are driving the manager’s behavior? Are his or her feelings in alignment with the desired behavior? Examples of ineffective emotions include “I could lose respect or status if I delegate,” “I don’t trust my employees to do it right,” and “I need to please my employees.” It’s better to hold a sparrow in the hand than to have a pigeon on the roof.’’ This would mean that it’s better to hold on to something safe (something you can obtain easily), than just to wish for something uncertain. 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 Who digs holes underneath someone else, will fall into them himself’’. Now this is a sorry translation but it means to refrain from wishing anyone else wrong.