Articles—Issue 11, June 2006
"Take a Pill" Management
Instatant gratification and shortcuts long-ago made their way into society. Throw them out of your business!
Several years ago, I worked with a gentleman who was a senior executive at a large, successful, public company. He said that one of the greatest challenges in business today is that managers have a “take a pill” orientation. In other words, they refuse to roll up their sleeves and do the heavy lifting required. These so-called “leaders” are replete with sound-bites and glitz but woefully lacking in substance. I have noticed that large, politically-oriented organizations produce them by the bucketful. They are not necessarily bad people, but they are imposters.
They are quick to deflect criticism, rarely seen eating a doughnut with the “guys” on the loading dock and much more adept at sucking up than inspiring those on their team. These Teflon-coated creatures often must change jobs frequently or the dirty truth will come out—they don’t know how to manage projects or lead people. They are afraid to work through a problem and either run-over or run-from resistance rather than work through it.
The two most used tools in their toolbox? Edicts and Pronouncements. They have little understanding or appreciation of the required projects, planning, sweat and tears necessary for success.
If you have one of these folks on your team, you have two choices, 1) strip away the Teflon and coach them to be accountable and process oriented, or 2) ask them to find employment elsewhere. All fluff, no stuff may be appropriate for meringue on a pie, but it will kill your business.
(c)2006 by Tood Ordal. You are welcome to share this informational article with others.
Todd Ordal is a business consultant helping executives struggling with execution. Prior to founding the consulting firm Applied Strategy LLC, Todd spent over 25 years in management and executive roles such as President and CEO. You can contact Todd at todd@appliedstrategy.info