The Mindset

Warning: delicate issue ahead…

Kathy Sierra wrote a great article about Top Management Lies. Why is it great? First because it’s funny. Second, because most of us know deep inside that it is not fiction. Most of you know exactly what she talks about. The rest of you are extremely lucky (and this post is probably not for you).

So, assuming your managers are just like that, the question is what can you do about it? How can you keep doing your job right in such a working environment? 

That’s a tough one, so I am going for a walk with the hope of coming back with answers…

***

OK. I’m Back! That was a very inspiring walk (although it might have something to do with the state of my brain when not having enough oxygen). Anyway, I’ve came up with a five-step program to overcome this unfortunate situation.

Will it be easy? No. Will it do the job? I don’t really know. Is there anything else you can do? I don’t think so.

Use it at your own risk…

***

Step 1: Don’t Let Them Know You Know

The first step sounds easy, but it really isn’t. Whatever you do, don’t let your managers know you are on to them. Believe me, that’s the worst thing you can do. I won’t even go into explaining the reasons for that, but let’s just say it has something to do with denial, fear, authority and power. You really don’t want to get in the middle of this mess.

What you should do when talking to your managers is just play the game. It will take a lot of your mental energy, but without it you won’t be able to move on to step 2.

Step 2: Find An Ally

If you thought step 1 was difficult, wait till you read this one. The second step of our five-step program is to find an ally. Someone you can talk to. Someone that you see eye-to-eye with. Someone professional. The tricky part is that this ally should be from management.

This step is risky. In fact, in some organizations it might not even be feasible. I hope for your sake that this is not the case. But in any case, you should handle this step with care. You really have to trust your ally and have confidence in him. Otherwise, you will violate step 1.

Your ally will soon know you know. But if you choose him correctly, he would appreciate your stand. Just be careful not to articulate your opinions with anger or frustration. Be positive. Offer solutions instead of just pointing out the problems. An honest and professional top-level manager will thank you for your honesty and for your commitment.

Step 3: Just Do It

Using your ally, the next step would be to find some niche and just do what you do best. Do what you believe in. Do it honestly and professionally.

If you manage this step, you’ll probably find yourself either in some (low-level) managerial position, or in a technical position in a more constructive environment within your organization. In the first case, your unspoken goal is to show other managers and colleagues that things can be done differently. In the second case your goal is pretty much the same.

Either way, other people in the organization might just start to notice that there’s a better way of doing things. A way which doesn’t involve lies or disrespect to professional workers. This would be the time to implement step 4.

Step 4: Create a Buzz

Not a mutiny. Just a whispery buzz.

If you have managed to find yourself a new position where you can do things professionally, where you get credit for that, and where you are trusted – do whatever you can to spread the word (without making an issue out of it). When more people see there’s a different way to run things, they will demand it for themselves as well.

Soon, more people will have the courage to expect better treatment – better management. Maybe with your success and your ally’s support there is a chance for such a change to happen. Then again, maybe not. If you don’t try, you will never know.

Oh, yes… we still need a step 5 in the five-step program…

Step 5: Make a Note for Yourself

One way or the other you will someday probably be a manager yourself. Step 5 in the five step program is in fact the first step you should do – long before it happens. Even now, at this very moment.

Print this post. Take a pair of scissors and cut the following card. Put it in a place where you will see it frequently, but don’t put it where your managers might see it. You can put it in your wallet for example. Whenever you see it – read it. Don’t throw it away. You can also give a copy to colleagues you trust.

Now, I don’t believe it will come to that, but if you ever forget what it means, or you don’t understand what it is doing in your wallet, use the contact information at the top. I will be more than happy to remind you what it is all about. Free of charge.

 

This entry was posted on Monday, May 8th, 2006 at 11:48 am and is filed under Organizational Culture, Management, Professionalism. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.