A Week From Hell
I had a week that I would just as soon forget. On Sunday I learned that I had pneumonia and that the pneumonia contributed to my having a heart attack. It’s complicated. Don’t ask. What’s crazy is that I didn’t know I had either. I felt perfectly fine before this all took place, while it took place (except for some heavy sweating), after it took place, and I feel great now. Imagine. Pneumonia and a heart attack and I didn’t even know it was happening. By the way, there was no damage to my heart if you’re curious.I was thinking that this experience so resembled what so often happens in business between a business owner or manager and those who report to him or her. In companies across the land the boss so often doesn’t have a clear knowledge of what goes on around him or her. He or she may think that things are operating one way and in reality they may not be operating that way at all. I guess what I’m suggesting is that as the boss, you may need to get outside your office, chat with the front line people and ask a lot of questions. You may be in for some surprises.
The corollary to this (and I’ll bet that every boss can attest to it) is what the boss says can and often is taken too literally. Sometimes the boss may simply be stating an observation or a viewpoint or asking a question to one of his or her managers or employees. It may be something quite simple like: “…why do we do this, this way?” It may be taken as: “…I don’t want it done this way.” The individual may totally revamp the method of doing what was being observed because his or her interpretation of the question is, “I don’t want it done this way. Let’s find another way” when all the boss was doing was asking a question. A simple statement becomes the new law of the land.
So, I have two messages with this post. One, bosses need to really know (not think they know), what is going on in the operation so he or she may need to get out amongst rank and file and ask some questions. Two, bosses need to be very careful what they say and how they say it. A simple observation can so easily become the new rule.
Mark Summerour commented:
Jim, glad to hear no damage to the heart, you must be living right! Have a great Thanksgiving. I tried to E-Mail you but it comes back your mail-box is full so I will try again after the holiday. I guess you deserve a few days off after a week like that!
Stephanie Lowder, Rare Bird Creative commented:
There is always some learning to do. Thank you Jim for the reminders, AND I'm so glad to know your week from hell did not result in anything that would have interrupted your blog - I so look forward to your insightful, learned lessons. Wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving with your family.
Robert Mark commented:
A concise anecdote to state what should be an obvious point. The only problem is that Jim did not make the obvious references to those executives in the furniture business who also illustrate this cogent point about REALLY knowing what is happening. No one ever really takes the industry to task on such comments. FT should make use of what is left of its readership to be a prime mover of change. How many people would agree that Mr. Scozzafava would be a perfect example of someone who really does not know what is going on. Could Tom Finch ever have believed that the president of Thomasville would also be "overseeing" Drexel Heritage? Could the three founders of Henredon ever have believed that Ron, Mickey and Ralph could ever have so utterly destroyed their crowing achievements? What would Mr. Lane or Ed Broyhill have commented on the current status of their companies? I hope that FT will do some editorializing before there is no need for this paper because the industry will be gone.
