Helen was recently promoted into a leadership position. She was happy with her new job and new title and recognized that she was going to be making decisions in situations that she had never had to face before. She also knew that her new supervisor, Victoria, was going to be judged by her bosses since she had promoted Helen ahead of more senior and experienced people. In fact, Helen’s old manager would now be reporting to Helen.
When facing situations requiring a decision during the first few weeks, Helen would analyze the facts and personalities involved; consider all of the options that were available to her; and then, she would sit down with Victoria to review all of the facts, the options, what she thought her decision should be and why. In most cases, Victoria would endorse the course of action that Helen proposed. But, occasionally, Victoria would point out facts or background considerations that Helen was not aware of that needed to be considered.
Victoria understood that Helen wanted to make the right decision. However, she also knew that vacillation and delays in decision making made Helen look indecisive and weak; like a follower rather than a leader. So Victoria had a heart-to-heart talk with Helen, telling her
“Helen, I chose you for this job because I believe you are intelligent and have the ability to reach logical conclusions based on facts and the personalities involved; to examine evidence and available options and reach the best possible decision. Make decisions. Right or wrong, I’ll back you in public. If you make a poor decision, we’ll talk privately and determine what might have been considered and what might have been done differently. Be decisive and understand that if you don’t make a wrong decision from time to time, you aren’t making enough decisions.”
As a result of this “pep-talk”, Helen became more decisive. She made good decisions for the most part and, in the end, she became a Great Leader who mentors others to become the Great Leaders of the future.
Have you had the privilege of working with someone like Victoria who helped you to become a better leader? Share your story here by clicking “comment”.
Tom Hoisington is a speaker, trainer, and author whose goal is to provide leaders and potential leaders with tools that empower them to build teams that are creative and cost effective along with a clearer understanding of how personality types interact within those teams. He can be contacted at tom.hoisington@eagleoneresources.com