Sometimes leadership can be so bad we are justified in calling it absurd. Such a thing happened to a good friend who accepted a job last year as marketing director for a not-for-profit.
He was doing great work–had actually created two joint ventures with outside companies that will create thousands of dollars for this non profit–AND–give them confidence to pursue other JV’s with other companies.
Then last week, he was called into the Director’s office and told he would probably be laid off in six weeks. And that they were disappointed because this was “supposed to be a self-sustaining position.”
Self sustaining position?
That’s the first time he had ever heard that language. (I don’t work in non-profits, but I had never heard that term either). It’s ‘absurd’ because if the company REALLY wanted him to create a self-funding position, then why wasn’t he told that upfront?
Why wasn’t this called what it was “Pay for peformance” or “commission” or why weren’t “revenue expectations” discussed?
Or was this just an excuse to cut someone?
If you want someone to do their best, why hide the goal from them? It’s part of the old leadership style of mushroom motivation. Mushroom motivation is that leadership mentality that says, “Let’s keep our employees in the dark. That’s when they grow the best.”
Leadership Tip
Don’t keep your people in the dark. (Don’t assume that they really know what’s going on with your firm/department). Tell them exactly where they, personally, are at all times. Give them expectations and discuss them. Tell them where the company is. Tell them where the company is going. Tell them how the company intends to navigate this economy.
Don’t think they’re not thinking about it. They are. You just might not know it.
{ 0 comments… add one now }