SUVs in Icy Conditions - A Metaphor for Bad Management?

I had to take Bill to the airport this morning. Here in Seattle, we are at the beginning of several days of sub-freezing temps. Yesterday is rained a bit, then turned to icy rain, then snowed. Overnight, it all froze and will stay frozen until mid-week.

I bet that you have seen this, too. You are driving gingerly on the icy roads and some 4X4 pick-up truck or SUV comes barreling past at high speeds. We all know that having 4-wheel drive does not make you invincible in icy conditions, and we all probably say the same things under our breath as the SUV whizzes by, "what an idiot."

Before you send me flaming emails, I know there are many good SUV drivers out there and I am sure you are one of them. :-) But come on, we all have seen this happen.

Somehow, having the SUV or truck enlivens the bravado of the driver into a false sense of competency.

As I returned home from the airport, I reflected on this and thought of management. Some managers, too, act with a bravado that is not supported by the conditions or their skills.

Like having 4-wheel drive, does having a title or rank or membership in the senior leader golf clique leave some managers feeling invincible?

We see this in politics, too. Nixon, the Illinois Governor (allegedly), and some might say our current president and VP exhibited more bravado than they ought to have.

If you are a manger, you don't want to be like the speedy SUV driver on icy roads. You don't want people around you thinking that you are an idiot and a danger to the organization.

The best managers and leaders maintain grace, even when they have flashy titles, perks, and paychecks. They are humble and grateful and take extra care during storms. They do not put people in danger by slicing through the organization just because they are in a hurry.

I am all for a sense of urgency and I like it when managers have a healthy self-confidence. Hollow bravado is just plain ignorant and may leave you upside-down on the side of the road needing help from all those people you have previously annoyed.

Photo credit from King 5.

Comments

[Dennis Stevens]

Great example. In today's businesses managers need to lead, not demand. Employees are not conscripts and won't be treated as such. Servant Leadership principles can create managers who are humble and grateful and take extra care while maintaining a sense of urgency and a healthy self-confidence. If you think you are a little like the speedy SUV driver, take a look at the principles of Servant Leadership.

[lisa haneberg]

Dennis - thanks for the suggestion of Servant Leadership - it's a good one!

[acai berry supreme]

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