Statements Leaders Say That Make Me Cringe – Part 1

Statements Leaders Say That Make Me Cringe – Part 1

Posted on 03. May, 2010 by in Blog Special Series

I have much to say on this topic.  Starting today and the rest of this week, I’ll share statements I hear leaders say about change that make me cringe. Be sure to share your response and stories below. Let’s really make this blog post a community effort.

As a change agent, it’s not uncommon for me to hear the naked truth that underlies a leader’s thoughts as it relates to change they are causing.

I’m a firm believer that I’m responsible to help clients deal with “stuff” that surface because of our work together.  So, with a dose of humor and a desire to educate, I share in this short series statements that leaders say about change management that makes me cringe.  I also share how I respond.

“How hard can it be?” What’s at play here is a leader’s unwillingness to put aside their viewpoint and consider another reality.  It’s insidious no matter who you are.  And it needs to be addressed immediately

Response: “I can’t help you and your company be successful if you are not open to understand how employees view what you’re about to change.” Then I shut up.

“Damn it, I pay my employees good money to make our customers happy.  Why do I need to pay you all this money so they can talk about their feelings?” The leader has had a lot more time to sit with the ideas and plans to bring change. Naturally they’re ready to make the change yesterday.  Change, though, is often an emotional journey.  And many leaders often overlook this.  Since emotions run high during change, employees must have a way to express what they are feeling.  We all know what happens when we bottle up how we’re feeling – sewage begins to build!

Response: “I get that you’re eager to keep things moving. My job is to make sure you achieve the goals you set for this project. If we avoid addressing people’s feelings, you will not realize the goals you want. Let me create a way to help people express how they’re feeling.  I promise they will realize they have a choice to make: hang on to the ‘old’ feelings and get stuck in the ‘old way” or learn how to get unstuck.”

Have you heard these statements? How about something similar? Different? Share you experience and response down below.

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5 Responses to “Statements Leaders Say That Make Me Cringe – Part 1”

  1. Remy G

    04. May, 2010

    “They don’t need to know my thoughts about the future of the company – They should just do their jobs.”

    “We don’t need systems and procedures for the work they do – it’s not rocket science – it’s common sense!”

    “My people don’t care. They come in and take a paycheck and go home.”

    “Every time I’m out of the office nothing gets done. It’s like I’m a babysitter or something.”

    Those are my cringes!

    Remy

    Reply to this comment

    • Shawn Murphy

      04. May, 2010

      Ouch! That first one would make me cringe, double over in pain, and then fall over. =) Thank you for sharing, Remy.

      Reply to this comment

  2. davidburkus

    05. May, 2010

    I cringe every time managers use the “I pay them to…” argument. In white collar work, people don’t really work for pay….or better said, they don’t work for a specific company just for money.

    Reply to this comment

    • Shawn Murphy

      06. May, 2010

      The “I pay them to…” will make the second installment of this blog topic. Despite the frequency of it, I’m amazed that a manager today would resort to such outdated logic. It’s not logic…it’s an old “tape” playing in the minds of some managers who simply forgot to push stop and hear what is really going on around them. I think organizational research has shown for 30+ years that pay isn’t the first reason why employees leave, but lack of opportunity and growth. And that’s the point you’re making, David.

      Reply to this comment

  3. Further Statements Leaders Say That Make Me Cringe – Part 2

    12. May, 2010

    [...] to the site, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!Last week I posted the first part to this blog.  I’m exploring cringe-worthy statements leader’s say about change.  [...]

    Reply to this comment

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