IT WILL BE OPTION 1: Appetite for compromise
A number of the similarities which we have already covered contained a common theme… lack of desire for compromise. You can see this in Part 1 related to chasing after big dreams as well as Part 4 regarding the reaction to the word “No”. The appetite for compromise in the Executive and the Toddler is quite similar. Just think about the parent at the mall trying to negotiate with their knee-high Neanderthal. The parent is usually trying to employ your run-of-the-mill reasoning tactics to appeal to the rational side of their little one. The toddler of course is not having it and, with each passing moment, his or her emotional stability is spiraling downward. More later on how to handle this.
The Executive once again bears striking resemblance. The exact reaction of a full blown tantrum might not be identical, but the appetite is similar. Most Executives when faced with compromise immediately feel the pressure of competing priorities. The person who is proposing alternatives has in mind a more optimal solution based on their vantage point. However, the Executive is usually going in another direction given the perspectives that he or she is currently aware of. Quickly the Executive must weigh the various priorities and stakeholders and identify the optimal way forward. The challenge here is that the Executive is usually already aware of the perspective being brought before him or her and is therefore in the uncomfortable spot of holding firm to their initial decision regardless of how impassioned the person is who is sitting across the table. Being short on time, the Executive sees this as a potential waste of time and valuable energy. The resulting behavior by the Exec is often times perceived as hard-headed or having a lack of empathy. While this perception is somewhat faulty it can still injure the Executive’s persona. It can also hinder the organizational effectiveness of the larger team if employees are not seeing the wisdom in the Executive’s direction. So what to do…
For the Executive: As an Executive you have the advantage of seeing the full picture. While it is time consuming to provide the full context behind all decisions, it is important for employees to understand why you are making the decision you are making. Your time investment in the short term will pay dividends in that your team will become more educated about the broader context and understand the intent behind the decisions you are making. In the end, they will start bringing proposals that more closely align and only those situations which truly require compromise will come to your desk.
For those working with Executives: Start by assuming the best. In many instances, the information you have may make the Executive’s unwillingness to compromise seem unreasonable. However, if there is some other piece of information that you do not have, the Executive’s resistance may not only be reasonable but the wisest course of action.
For those looking to develop as an Executive: Compromise is a necessary and often times beneficial process in the business world. As an Executive in training, if you will, you must learn how to take in different perspectives, assess what is the best course of action and make the call. Sometimes you will not be the most popular person for your decisions but as the Executive you need to learn to make tough calls for what is right. The most important piece here is learning what, in fact, is right. This comes down to principles. The strongest leaders have a fundamental set of principles by which they operate. They use these principles to guide their decisions. When people around them understand what their principles are, it is easier for them to anticipate that decisions you will make. Long story short… if you haven’t already identified your core principles, you should start doing so today. There are a number of different ways to go about doing this. Most start with identifying what you value most and going from there. Maybe a good topic of a later post….
For parents of Toddlers: You must reverse the script here. There is no compromising with the Toddler. No mater how much you give, they will always want more. Remember that you are the boss and you know best. Your best bet is to hold firm from the onset. If your toddler thinks that compromise is an option, you’ll be in for a long battle ahead.