How To Create A Reputation for Honesty as a Leader-Part 1
How To Create A Reputation for Honesty as a Leader-Part 1
A leader who tells the truth 98% of the time will be soon known as a liar. And a leader who tells the truth 95% of the time will be known as a psychopathic liar. And, as leaders, we tell lies and don’t even realize we are doing it. Most of us became leaders because we wanted to make it better than the last man or woman. We want to help. And because we want to help this happens:
Mary walks in and says, “Hey boss, I am having problems with the Jones-Allan account. The numbers aren’t quite there. Can you take a look at the numbers for me?”
Bob, (the boss) while stopping what he is doing and trying to remember what time it is says, “Sure, sure.”
“And boss, do you think you could take a look at them by tomorrow at noon? The customer is expecting an answer before close of business tomorrow.”
“Sure, sure, no problem.”
Now we all know that Bob had every intention of keeping his promise. Bob likes to help, always has, that’s why he took the promotion. Only one problem. Bob has overcommitted. He has told seven other people he is trying to help that he will help them.
Noon tomorrow comes around and Mary walks up to Bob’s cube and says, “Man I am glad you agreed to help me with those numbers for the Jones-Allan account. They were giving me fits.”
Bob looks up at Mary in total confusion for a few moments and then smacks himself on the head and says, “Darn it Mary. I got swallowed up in five other emergencies. What time is it? Wow how did it get to be noon? Tell you what. Come back and see me at three-thirty. I’ll work through lunch on this report for the President and then your account will move to the top of the chart?”
Mary looks disappointed, not too much, she’s worked with Bob and knows that he over promises. She says OK and leaves.
What did Bob do? He made a promise and didn’t keep it. First lesson.
Make fewer promises. Keep all of them.
Let’s go back in our time machine and do it the right way.
Mary walks in and says, “Hey boss, I am having problems with the Jones-Allan account. The numbers aren’t quite there. Can you take a look at the numbers for me?”
Bob, (the boss) while stopping what he is doing and trying to remember what time it is says, “Sure, sure.”
“And boss, do you think you could take a look at them by tomorrow at noon? The customer is expecting an answer before close of business tomorrow.”
Bob, “Mary, I’d love to commit to being able to look at the numbers by noon tomorrow. With what I have on my plate, I simply can’t honor a commitment like that. I can try to look them by noon. I will guarantee that I can look at them by close of business by day after tomorrow. Can we still maintain a superb relationship with the customer if you have an answer then?”
Mary, “I don’t think so. I have already put them off once.”
Bob, “How about this, let’s call Steve, he has a tremendous grasp of this account and all it’s intricacies. I think he might have time.”
Mary, big smile on her face. “That would be great!”
Leaders axiom: Make fewer promises. Keep all of them.
Home work.
1. Look at all the commitments you are making. Are you over committing to the point where you can’t deliver on promises?
2. Practice saying “No” using the above example.
3. Enjoy your improved reputation
How To Create A Reputation for Honesty as a LeaderPart 1 - To learn more about this author, visit John Cameron's Website.
Like this article? Share it with your friends
How To Create A Reputation for Honesty as a Leader-Part 1
A leader who tells the truth 98% of the time will be soon known as a liar. And a leader who tells the truth 95% of the time will be known as a psychopathic liar. And, as leaders, we tell lies and don’t even realize we are doing it. Most of us became leaders because we wanted to make it better than the last man or woman. We want to help. And because we want to help this happens:
Mary walks in and says, “Hey boss, I am having problems with the Jones-Allan account. The numbers aren’t quite there. Can you take a look at the numbers for me?”
Bob, (the boss) while stopping what he is doing and trying to remember what time it is says, “Sure, sure.”
“And boss, do you think you could take a look at them by tomorrow at noon? The customer is expecting an answer before close of business tomorrow.”
“Sure, sure, no problem.”
Now we all know that Bob had every intention of keeping his promise. Bob likes to help, always has, that’s why he took the promotion. Only one problem. Bob has overcommitted. He has told seven other people he is trying to help that he will help them.
Noon tomorrow comes around and Mary walks up to Bob’s cube and says, “Man I am glad you agreed to help me with those numbers for the Jones-Allan account. They were giving me fits.”
Bob looks up at Mary in total confusion for a few moments and then smacks himself on the head and says, “Darn it Mary. I got swallowed up in five other emergencies. What time is it? Wow how did it get to be noon? Tell you what. Come back and see me at three-thirty. I’ll work through lunch on this report for the President and then your account will move to the top of the chart?”
Mary looks disappointed, not too much, she’s worked with Bob and knows that he over promises. She says OK and leaves.
What did Bob do? He made a promise and didn’t keep it. First lesson.
Make fewer promises. Keep all of them.
Let’s go back in our time machine and do it the right way.
Mary walks in and says, “Hey boss, I am having problems with the Jones-Allan account. The numbers aren’t quite there. Can you take a look at the numbers for me?”
Bob, (the boss) while stopping what he is doing and trying to remember what time it is says, “Sure, sure.”
“And boss, do you think you could take a look at them by tomorrow at noon? The customer is expecting an answer before close of business tomorrow.”
Bob, “Mary, I’d love to commit to being able to look at the numbers by noon tomorrow. With what I have on my plate, I simply can’t honor a commitment like that. I can try to look them by noon. I will guarantee that I can look at them by close of business by day after tomorrow. Can we still maintain a superb relationship with the customer if you have an answer then?”
Mary, “I don’t think so. I have already put them off once.”
Bob, “How about this, let’s call Steve, he has a tremendous grasp of this account and all it’s intricacies. I think he might have time.”
Mary, big smile on her face. “That would be great!”
Leaders axiom: Make fewer promises. Keep all of them.
Home work.
1. Look at all the commitments you are making. Are you over committing to the point where you can’t deliver on promises?
2. Practice saying “No” using the above example.
3. Enjoy your improved reputation
How To Create A Reputation for Honesty as a LeaderPart 1 - To learn more about this author, visit John Cameron's Website.
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Leanne Hoagland-SmithAre your sales where you want them to be? Will you be one of the few who achieves sales or business success or one of the many who have failed to change? Are you tired of being told you are like everyone else? Then you may find my first book on sales of interest. Be the Red Jacket in the Sea of Gray Suits, The Keys to Unlocking Sales available at Amazon or at http://www.processspecialist.com/red-jacket.htm. This book is a reflection of my no-nonsense approach to improving sales to overall business results. If you are truly committed to making sustainable changes, then I can help you secure a positive return on your investment because I focus on executable solutions not telling you the problems you already know you have. From training to corporate (group) coaching to executive one on one coaching, my approach is to assess, create awareness, build a goal driven action plan and then execute. The bottom line question is "Not do you or your employees know it, but do you or they want to do it?" Please call for a free strategy session at 219.759.5601. - Visit Leanne Hoagland-Smith's Website |
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