Fear of Firing

“It’s a rare individual who’s comfortable Firing someone.
Most people lose sleep; a lot of it.”
—J R StJohn

It all looks perfect; the new President has taken the seat, hired a team of impressive-looking, experienced sales people — who look and sound a lot like the new leader; many of them old friends. There’s a credible plan in place, a portfolio of products and services, and an impressive organization waiting to handle the influx of business.

Time passes. Something is… wrong. The sales team doesn’t jell. There’s dissension, people making up their own stories. Marketing can’t seem to deliver something that works for the field, or the desk — but the print stuff is pretty!

There’s infighting between Divisional Managers. Training never seems to come on line.

And then, the promising leader — simply — resigns.

Success Reluctance.

That bright shiny new leader just couldn’t deal with resistance.

It looks so easy in the Management School discussion groups. Just do the right hires, get everyone lined up, then step back and let the system work.

Or not.

Let’s look at:
How it goes Wrong.
How it Should Go Right.
Fear of Leadership

How It Goes Wrong
Every tribe, club or sales organization begins with all manner of differences: opinion, style, experience and perspective. Everyone is all love and friendship during the hiring process, but once people have gotten comfortable and scoped out “the Deal,” they begin to Lobby for their own point of view — for their differences. Right at that point, the new leader must take the wheel and inform everyone that “This is not a Democracy, but a Dictatorship!” (If, more or less, a benevolent one.) Failing to handle that, and point everyone in the new direction, is where the new boss fails. And he’s made it more difficult by hiring people he knows and sees as equals. Because now, he’s faced with enforcing discipline on his “friends.”

And bluntly, many new leaders can’t articulate what they’re feeling about this new leadership requirement. They have to Rise to the Role and face the fact that some of their old buddies are looking for a soft gig. They can’t believe their old friends would trade on their friendship this way, and they can’t face having to let any “old buddies” go. They’re shocked and fazed by the fact that not everyone sees the job clearly, and that (as a leader) they are going to have to put some discipline into the organization. (Of course, the “old buddies” are also shocked and discouraged as they see their “old friend” morph into a new and exacting boss.)

That transition, from everyone being new, friendly and on their best behavior, to Everyone jousting for position and trading on their connection with the head guy, is precisely where everything has to change, or everything goes off the rails. And that is when a failing new boss simply resigns and fades away…

How it should Go Right!
“Good Morning Everyone! Going forward, there is one Leader here… ME! Here’s how things are going to work: We’re all new in this place and time; Your Divisionals are going to get you started and familiarize you with our Products, The Sales Plan and Your Part in it. We’re working with a new communication discipline here, so what comes out in Print, will also be going out over the Phone and the Web, and we expect each of you in the Field to be doing your part by telling the same story, in the same format, in person (insofar as you reasonably can). This will give us the benefit of having One Story with Many Voices ‘singing in harmony.’ Put another way, Repetition Works!”

I’m counting on you to play your part in this program, and we’ll be looking very carefully at the production figures to see where and how to make adjustments. I know we were all acquainted in “other lifetimes…” But understand, This is Now and Here! Don’t think our previous friendships can substitute for compliance and production. Any questions?

Fear of Leadership
At the Heart of Leadership is the ability to add or remove someone from the team. That role tends to echo other similar roles, parenthood, for example. We love our Fathers of course, and sometimes fear them as well. It is this echo of familiarity about leadership that makes us a little nervous about our jobs when the boss enters the room. “He can kill us at will.”

Of course, the new boss has this unspoken fear as well, and wonders if he can step up to the role. So, the first difference of opinion with a junior brings up defenses in the young guy, and his new young leader. And one of them must win, for the organization to go forward and upward. But maybe he feels that “a firing” is actually “a killing.” Maybe they both do. So maybe they both walk around on cat feet, avoiding the issue — and failing as a result.

Let’s just put it out there: Firing isn’t Killing. It’s a necessary part of shaping an organization into the lean, mean selling machine that’s required to take the company where it has to go! And the ease and certainty with which the leader can take that action speaks to their success, and to the organization.

So, go ahead, lose sleep. But step up and let that old friend go.

Applications

1. For You
Read this now, and think about it, Now. If you ever wish to lead, there will come a time when you must rise up and enforce your will on your former friends and colleagues. Some will fall away. A choice few will remain on good terms. Leadership is Lonely.

2. For the Family
The kids will face this challenge on teams, in clubs and when tasked with leading a family undertaking. Explain to them that leading isn’t being the Big Meany but being the thoughtful one in charge who makes sure that everyone complies with the plan — even the parents. Hey, this can be fun!

3. For the Workplace
This is the big career challenge: Can You Step Up and Leave Buddydom Behind? It’s been said that “Eagles Don’t Flock.” Leading requires a constant focus and an awareness that what’s good for the team may require doing things that aren’t immediately good for some of the individuals. People are honestly afraid of losing their jobs, and you may have to bring that about. Live with it!

And get ready to do it — not to show off, but because it’s best. And that’s your job.

Losing sleep? Good. Now we know you’re taking Leadership seriously.

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