Unlikable?
I know, right? That’s like saying cowards run from danger, or teenagers hate waking up early, or “yes men” keep their jobs by being, well, yes men.
But there is a little more to the story. We all have worked with incompetent people who nevertheless kept their jobs. We have wondered from time to time how they were still employed.
But then we would go to lunch with them and have a great time. We would stop at their desk because that’s where people hung out. No matter what we might ask him or her to do, they would promise it and were “glad to help” (even though secretly we knew that the help would be late in coming if it actually came at all). They have great personalities, or have been at the job a long time, or are just “likable.” It’s not unreasonable to think that there are cowardly leaders out there who say to themselves:
“I know I don’t make the tough decisions. I am told often that I am a know-it-all who actually knows very little. BUT- I bet if I’m likable and smile a lot I can still be effective at my job because people will like me.”
I don’t believe that.
Anyone who has worked for a cowardly leader, sooner or later, realizes that it’s practically impossible to “like” a coward. Now, without question, it’s certainly possible, even probable, to like someone initially who has a great personality and makes concrete promises. Because, at that point, you are liking the personality, not the productivity. The fellowship, not the follow-through.
But sooner or later, a leader has to produce and follow through.
Lying
Common to every cowardly leader is the most egregious of sins: lying. I have never met a cowardly leader who hasn’t lied. I don’t mean the misspoken statement, or misinterpretation of data. I don’t mean the honest change of position after more facts are gathered. I do mean looking you in the face and saying, “we will never let that happen.” And then sitting with no objection and letting that very thing happen. That kind of lying.
When you experience a direct lie in the workplace, or are ordered to lie by a supervisor, you can be pretty confident you are dealing with a cowardly leader. And I will bet you will not like it, and you will not like the person.
Because Cowardly Leaders are Unlikeable.
Epilogue
Beginning with this issue of Cowardly Leadership-Up Close and Personal, we will publish on a weekly basis vice the semi-weekly basis that was used up to this point. There are a couple of reasons for this, however, the bottom line is I’d rather do fewer, but better, blogs with more information.
And, something that I have failed miserably in doing is to thank all of you who have read these and encouraged me and commented. Many of you have sent ideas, links, articles, and resources that might be useful in future blogs. I have used much of what you’ve sent. So again, thank you for the support and the suggestions. Please, please continue doing so!
I have also discovered that many more read these but don’t admit that they do. There is nothing wrong with that. As long as those who read it learn from it, that’s what counts. Maybe, hopefully (for all of us), a cowardly leader will recognize himself or herself and stop being one.
That would be a win for everyone!
II-31
