A Reader Asks... Why a Choice

A LYS Assistant Principal asks the following:

SC,

Why would a district hire LYS, train staff, allocate resources and then give its campuses the option of not implementing the training. Is this a symptom of leadership failure?

   

SC Response

I’ll answer your question with your own answer to the question.  Yes, it is a symptom of leadership failure. The motivation for the decision in question can be quite varied, from political considerations, lack of confidence, apathy, etc. But to present a plan, and then to provide an out for not implementing the plan is not leadership.  It is managerial CYA optimization, which I will illustrate.

A. The manager gets to take the credit for the campus that uses the plan and is successful (a managerial win).

B. The manager gets to take the credit for the campus that does not uses the plan and is successful (a managerial win).

C. The manager gets to blame the campus that uses the plan and is not successful for not being flexible and making timely adjustments (a managerial win).

D. The manager gets to blame the campus that does not use the plan and is not successful for not using the plan (a managerial win).

Here is my advice if you find yourself working for such a manager. Go proactive, step up and lead. The upside is this is your team’s best chance for success.  The downside is that if your team fails you will shoulder all of the blame for that failure. But, let’s be honest, that was going to happen anyway.

Think. Work. Achieve.

Your turn...

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