When the Inner Circle Fails - Trust Topics December 2003

December 9, 2003

A MESSAGE FROM THE AUTHORS

In previous issues we've talked about being part of the inner circle and being on the outside looking in. This month we discuss what happens when someone in the inner circle fails in a big way.

Please forward this newsletter to your colleagues and friends who are interested in organizational and leadership issues. Your feedback is always welcome at info@thetrustedleader.com

-Rob and Anne-

Previous Issues:

When You're the Outsider

The High-Level Clique

A Grudge from the Past

archives

Next month's serving of Dim Sum: Dealing with a Bigmouth

LEADERSHIP DIM SUM, PART VIII: WHEN SOMEONE IN THE INNER CIRCLE FAILS

One of the members of your inner circle fails in a big way. For example, the reorganization they pushed so aggressively has resulted in a significant loss of business, and there is now an urgent need for a post-reorganization reorganization.

Things to think about: How should you handle the situation? How should your approach change if the failure is episodic, rather than a one-time event? How do you deal with the other team members’ reactions and actions, whatever they may be?

You have to be open; in such a small group of people, you really have no other choice. You can’t sweep failure at the top under the rug. Everyone will know anyway.

But if ever there was a place for a “teaching moment” this is it. This is what Franklin Jonath, a prominent Boston-based psychologist, refers to as an opportunity for “visible coaching.”

What’s visible coaching? A delicate and critical balance between providing support and showing some pretty tough love. You want everyone to see your response, so that they’ll follow suit and understand your message (which is really directed at them as well). You want everyone in the group to understand that it is OK to take risks and make mistakes. You don’t want to take away that freedom and that confidence. At the same time, you want people to understand that taking risks is not without risk.

It’s important to gauge just how heavy a hand one should use. If the failure was truly a “one-off” then it really is a true teaching moment. If, however, it was either episodic or part of a pattern, it may be time to exercise some greater oversight over this person’s decision-making until your confidence is restored.

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How about you? Has a member of your inner circle failed in a big way? What happened? Let us know.

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