Comments on: It Takes Courage

By: Bill Bartmann-_

Bill Bartmann-_ — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 05:48:07 +0000

Excellent site, keep up the good work

By: De Yarrison

De Yarrison — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 01:37:41 +0000

Hi Cautiously Optimistic,
I apologize for the delay in replying to your comment; I’ve been on a wonderful vacation without online access.
I’ve worked with teams and team leaders similar to what you describe. It can be confusing and frustrating to witness inconsistent behavior and preferential treatment. There are no “right” answers to your questions as individuals will be motivated to act (or not) based on their own unique circumstances and needs. Ideally, someone in the organization with authority over the boss in question would recognize or be made aware of the behavior and expose the situation openly (to said boss). I’ve seen successful outcomes through leadership coaching, which among other benefits, will allow the boss in question to receive candid feedback and begin to explore the impact he/she is having on others. Not always an easy sell; that is where the courage comes in.
Thanks for commenting!

By: Cautiously Optimistic

Cautiously Optimistic — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 13:08:43 +0000

I was once told that “all the heros are lying in Arlington” meaning that the most courageous people are now dead. In my experience that rings true. In some organizations trust is a one-way street and full of double standards where the boss only chooses to talk with certain members of his team and avoids communication with others. Some are forgiven and life seems to go on without any repercussions no matter how poorly they behave (e.g., where the boss is aware of team members constantly undermining other members of the team, team members descenting from agreed upon decisions), while others who may have simply been misunderstood are left wondering what happened even after the boss acknowledges the misunderstanding. The punishment remains, there is no apology, and the team member is left with nothing. The team member remains on the team, but feeling like an empty corpse or token member. Add another body to Arlington. After several years of that sort of treatment what does one do? Give up and leave? Or persevere in hopes that the team leader will change and start being courageous enough to communicate as well?