Maybe it’s just me but being on the receiving end as well as hand delivered, “You’re the man! You rock! You’re the best!” is so 2000 and late…boom boom pow, let’s dump it.
Meeting of the minds yesterday with a top dog major company owner who’s moved through the ranks of business from the wash boy up, he says to me, “We’ve become too lenient on the elements that separate good and bad work, spending way too much time coaching the underdog while the best talent walks into a future with nothing in their hands but raw luck…after awhile they learn the squeaky wheel doesn’t get the most attention, the lazy people do. The state of this nation is unsheltered havoc because owners and department head managers are weighed down by the Corporate American acceptance of poor work ethics.”
Good morning America!
The dudes not far off track…author Dr. Gary Ranker who fathered the book Political Dilemmas at Work paints the landscape of a modern society addicted to emphasizing the upside while getting fuzzy with the opposite. He says business leaders are naturally cautious about telling employees the uncomfortable truth because the business culture often does little to encourage it to change.
The pressure of bad news is constantly visible—pushing it into the faces of the worker bees allows no one the opportunity to sink belief into the prospect of hope. I spent thirteen years with a broadcast company whose captain at the helm held evil quarterly meetings buttered up with unforgettable free BBQ and chips. The bad news of barely making enough money to vacuum the carpet was always delivered first; the old George Washington chopped down the cherry tree approach, ohhhh which was quickly erased with the announcement of more sweet tea and a chocolate chip cookie in the back of the room.
From this direction looking back, as bad as it hurt to hear of the recession years before it’s full impact, it gave the employees ample space to rewrite the chapters of their career books, to prepare for unexpected rough waters ahead.
The way we act and react to bad news is observed carefully and noted by those who make up our circle. How you accept the appearance of something not so tasteful determines how your future will be set. According to Dr. Ranker, “It’s perfectly natural to act angry, frustrated and emotional during the arrival of bad news…but instantly you’ll become less helpful to end result if you elect to react in a physical way and or manner.”
The privilege of being a senior exec means you wear Prada. A fair share of distance has been created between the wash boy and door connected to that hot looking wooden desk with a fancy rich person phone ringing like you live in Hollywood. What quickly disappears from most ambitions at this level of play in the game is an information network that’s physically tapped into the opinions of every team involved in bringing success to the company ladder.
If you think there’s stress at your place in the business spend the next five minutes playing a game I call, “If I was the boss.” Can you imagine what their world looks like not week by week but hourly and by the second? I’d rather pick a fight with my little sister than have to deal with hurricane winds that pick up their desk and give it a few thousand spins.
What we need people…is a little bit of non-you rock communication. The Appalachian and Smokey Mountains were once looked upon as being some of this nations tallest rocks—compared to the Rocky Mountains out west…they are mole hills…wanna know why? A rock is worn down by winds of forever change. Nobody needs you to rock during a time in history when its time to roll.
The official rules:
1. Employees and business leaders need updates on problems without being
delivered a warm fuzzy.
2. Ask questions about areas where you are confident—there are issues
everywhere.
3. Scolding and blaming pushes the truth underground.
4. Acknowledge the courage of your coworkers and employees. Reality is found in every project and dealing with it with truth and not fuzz makes you a bigger and better foundation of success.
5. Be tough on failure while being compassionate toward every employee.
Kanye West was correct when shouting, “Beyonce’s video is one of the best of all time.” The mistake was made in the place to which he played—what you’re not hearing are the stories connected to the truth as to how Taylor Swift is handling it…every radio station and television show interview must go through a censorship process, no one is to talk about it. Those denied the right to ask open questions are whispering, “The birth of a diva.”
Wait! There’s free BBQ and chips in the back of the room! Did I hear someone say fresh baked oven fresh Chocolate Chip cookies? Does anyone have fuzz to put over this truth? Send it now!
arroecollins@clearchannel.com
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