Saturday, April 24, 2010

CHARACTER FLAWS ADD UP


It's been said that "Great people talk about ideas......average people talk about themselves and small people talk about others.

The character flaw of Cynicism (as discussed last time) will create a negative atmosphere within an organization. When people work for a boss who is habitually critical or suspicious of new ideas, suggestions or people the group will be drained of positive energy. Lost opportunity and negative attitudes are the result of a cynical leader.

A manager with the character flaw of engaging in pettiness, will not only discourage the masses, but they will destroy their effectiveness and creditability. Being "petty" is to be small minded. Definition: typical of a small-minded person: marked by pettiness, narrowness, or meanness-conduct.

I know some very smart managers who appear unable to resist a very bad habit of talking about other people or about petty things. Years ago I worked with a CEO who was brilliant in marketing, sales and other disciplines of running a business, but who regularly engaged in gossipy, belittling comments about other managers. He seemed to take great joy in talking about his dislike of their personality, how they ran their departments or pointing out mistakes which he perceived as inadequate.

I know of a company where they call meetings to talk about someone they don't like and spend endless hours talking about petty issues. Most organizations have their gossips, but this company has taken it to a new level by encouraging people to talk about others. They have misplaced an "open door" policy with a habit of talking about any body at any time and give it legitimacy if it serves their purpose. They have created a culture of gossip in a formal way in the guise of seeking information. It has become so pervasive, it is now impossible to distinguish what is truth. Part of the damage for this group is they have replaced "brain storming" with "blame storming" sessions.

Families, Churches and groups which should embody "togetherness", are torn apart by petty issues and talking about others.


Why do people engage in pettiness?

1) Insecurity of their own abilities. If they can get you looking at someone else's short comings you will not see theirs or see the truth. Example: Look at government leaders who belittle people who disagree with their policies.

2) CYA activities are great reasons for people to behave in a small minded manner.

3) Immaturity...plain and simple.

4) People love "dirt" and some people love the attention received by providing that dirt.

5) People prefer to deal with insignificant petty problems because they are easier to deal with than the tough issues facing the group.
What will happen when a leader or manager allows this behavior?

* They will lose respect and credibility.

* The organization will be paralyzed away from growth and improvement because of distrust of others.

* Communication will be shut down because individuals will fear that what they might say will, in some weird way, come back to haunt them.

* Divisions between departments and individuals will form, walls of discontent will be built.

* Companies will find people fighting against each other rather than fighting the real enemy i.e. the competition.

* You might find your self with legal problems.

Business is hard, and it's getting harder everyday! The last thing you should be doing is spending your valuable time dealing with pettiness. How do you stop it? There is a way, but the answer is to long for this blog. I'll be glad to show you the way if pettiness and or gossip is a problem in your firm. But at the very least, make certain you don't engage in the silly, unproductive, destructive activity of pettiness and gossip.

Monday, April 5, 2010

Why Managers Fail...


One of the wonderful benefits of doing what I do for a living is the exposure to many different organizations and to the people who are responsible for shaping what these organizations become and how they operate. I have a unique vantage point in which to view how managers and leaders think and behave.

Anyone who knows me professionally, has often heard me say..."As the Leader goes...so goes the organization." Over the years, I have observed two fatal behavior flaws that will keep a manager from ever becoming a great leader. These character flaws will not only hinder growth but actually causes managers and leaders to fail in spite of their "programs" efforts to empower, engage, or motivate their work force.

Cynicism and Pettiness

Today, I want to talk about the first of these flaws. Cynicism. As the modern understanding, cynicism is "an attitude of scornful or jaded negativity, especially a general distrust of the integrity or professed motives of others."

Having been raised by a cynic, and fighting against the increasing cynical societies we live in, I have a pretty good idea of what causes this cynicism. As described by some, cynicism can manifest itself as a result of frustration, disillusionment, and distrust perceived due to organizations, authorities and other aspects of society.

As I observe organizational managers and department heads I see that there is more to cynicism than the ole "glass half full - half empty" mentality. Additionally, cynicism cannot be cured simply with the "the power of positive thinking" or the Joel Osteen belief that "God only wants what's best for your life." All of that sounds good, but it's completely bogus.

As part of my responsibilities in "Shaping Companies for Success " , I stress the importance of implementation of three essentials .

1.) Thinking differently. 2.) Acting Differently. 3.) Managing differently.

It's easy to talk about these three issues but they require on going coaching efforts in order to move an organization away from cynical habits. Many businesses will not hire a business coach because they are cynical about the motives and cost of the professional business coach. For this group, they will miss the investment opportunities for real and healthy organizational growth.

Being a cynic allows you to move into the most popular excuse for under achievers, that of the Victim! Over the years I have heard many reasons (excuses) why people and organizations can't achieve success. Here are just a few.

"I'm not white enough." I'm not black enough." "I'm not rich enough." "I'm not poor enough." "I'm not young enough." "I'm not old enough." "I'm not thin enough." I'm not fat enough." "You don't understand the "culture" of our country or... the "culture of our company." "The problems we have with the government." "The way I was raised by my mommy and daddy." The issues I've had to deal with in my life"... blah, blah, blah blah, blah.

If you have a cynical mind your cynicism will be reflected in your family and your organization. I know. I once was one, and still battle the temptation. Most people in companies and homes will not rise any higher than their leader. A true achiever will move out of a cynical environment as soon as possible because it just does not fit who they are and can't stand the negativity of it all.

Achievers in life are wired completely different. The first things they see are not obstacles. They see opportunities and are challenged. They believe in something! They are loyal to something! They are dedicated to something!

Think of the great leaders you know. Sports athlete's, politicians, business guys like Richard Branson,CEO of Virgin Airlines, who sees opportunities and thinks he can actually accomplish whatever he goes after. Most of the times he does, some times he doesn't, but that does not deter him. He's nobodies fool or just a dreamer. He's reasonable and smart. He has NOT been jaded by institutional thinking. Recently he admitted in a management conference, that it was several years before he truly understood the difference between gross and net profit. Here is a guy who is always going after achievement and adventure rather than money. This is what he says about life.
"I don't think of work as work and play as play. It's all living."

True achievers, look at the world and see what IS and what's possible. Cynics look at the world and see what isn't. As a habit, cynics look for what is wrong first.

The result? They are suspicious of everyone and everything at some level which hinders growth of the organization. As hard as you might try, you will fail as a leader if you are caught up in cynicism.

Whenever I begin working with a new client, I'm almost always warned by some cynic to "be careful"of something or somebody. Over the years I have learned not be cynical before I have the chance to experience the "treasure" of people and the firms I work with.

In my next post, I want to explain the silly, unprofessional habit of pettiness, and what you must do to eradicate it from your firm. In the mean time, think about your habits and those of the people in your firm. Do you have an organization full of cynics or are they people with healthy minds about who they are and the people they work with and for.