Being Decisive 655.1
Frank is a new supervisor who wants to do well. Maria consistently comes in late. When he confronts her, she makes a joke out of it.
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Hoping to win friendship and loyalty, he's painfully patient with her, but Pat, a conscientious employee, urges him to do more. Soon others begin to come in late, and Pat quits. Frank feels victimized, but he has no one to blame but himself.
A frequent workplace complaint is waiting for the boss to make a decision or take needed action. It might be about a pending promotion, filling an open position, giving an overdue performance review, pricing a new product, or dealing with a customer complaint. Whatever the issue, failure to make a decision can make big problems out of little ones. What’s more, indecisiveness generates resentment and undermines confidence in the manager’s ability.
It was Frank’s responsibility to set the tone of the work environment. In management (or parenting, for that matter), what you allow, you encourage. As Frank learned the hard way, indecision and inaction can cause as much harm as a poor decision.
Sure, it’s important to be careful, and it’s sometimes wise to put off a decision or delay action (to get more information, to get buy-in, to let things cool off, etc.). But failing to make a needed decision is not acceptable just to avoid an unpleasant confrontation or because one is too busy, is procrastinating, or hopes things will work themselves out.
This is Michael Josephson reminding you that character counts.
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Comments
The lesson here is either we make the right choice or the wrong choice. Like Frank, who didn't make the right choice but made a bad choice. Like at school, you have to arrive early so you won't be late and the school has to call home to say the child is late. Many people make the right choice but not many make the right ones. Some make the wrong choices.
Posted by: Gabriel Benitez | January 25, 2010 5:49 PM
If they are doing that, they are just following Pat as if she were the leader when they should be listen to their boss!
They are making the wrong decisions they need to listen to their boss so they won't be known as followers of Pat, but followers of their boss.
Saying they need to be on time so they won't miss anything important that they need to hear because when people say something they don't reapeat things.
Posted by: sierra mcneil | January 26, 2010 7:59 AM
Sometimes decisiveness, especially when no one else is faced with making tough decisions, can result in misunderstood partisan politics and seemingly irresponsible leadership. Fortunately, both President Obama and Governor David Paterson have that critical aspect of good leadership, and their strong character shines brightly, to those who know.
Posted by: Kevin | January 29, 2010 5:04 AM
Our school staff is currently experiencing the fallout of an extremely indecisive boss who's looking for friendship. Sadly, when the Pats of the world step up and argue for structure and follow-through, they are made into pariahs by those who are comfortable with the laissez-faire environment. It's frightening how quickly a leader who fears conflict can turn a tight ship into a sinking one.
Posted by: m smith | January 29, 2010 5:50 AM
I have to agree completely. I have been in Frank's shoes. Learning to be respected more than being liked is one of the most difficult things to learn about being a manager in business. It is equally toxic if Pat doesn't leave the organization but stays and reinforces the dissatisfaction with the other employees. Frank ends up extremely challenged when the majority of his staff no longer respect him.
Posted by: Judith Biggs | January 29, 2010 7:05 AM
Anybody can make easy decisions. Frank obviously lacked the courage to make a difficult decision by failing to confront Maria. He doesn't have the ability to be a manager. He needs to leave, and his supervisor needs to hire someone more capable in order to get the working environment back to a productive state. I've seen a very similar situation firsthand, and it's very harmful to morale.
Posted by: Bob H. | February 3, 2010 5:58 AM