EXCEPTIONAL LEADERS...
Invite the Truth

Values Beliefs Traits Emotions To be effective, leaders must know what is really going on within their organization.

Inherent in the nature of organizations and individuals is a tendency toward fear. This fear causes employees to not communicate bad news, lest they be held responsible.

Some leaders’ negative reactions to bad news can cause employees to either soft pedal the truth or simply not communicate it. This causes “CEO’s disease,” the condition of being blind to what is really going on—a sure path to failure as a leader.

Some leaders invite the truth and react to communications in a way that drives out the natural fear that exists in most organizations. They create strategies and develop competencies that create a culture of trust.

They know what is going on, both the goods news and the bad news, and can therefore respond appropriately in terms of the needs of the business.

 

? Thought Provoker

  • Are you getting the truth?
  • Are you aware of the natural tendency of employees to ‘put the most positive slant on things’?
  • Are you creating a culture of trust by your personal style that fosters others to provide ALL the information, both good and bad?
  • How do you react to bad news? Do you kill the messenger?
  • What systems can you put in place now to insure that you get the truth, i.e. all of the information that you need to be successful?
 

Studies have shown that organizations where fear is at minimum and good news and bad news flows naturally are the most successful.

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