Love and Compassion for Successful Leadership - Value #4 - Part 2

As one of the most important values, I’m going to add some additional thoughts to Value #4 - Honesty

Are you transparent in your interactions and communications with individuals that you lead?    Are you open and honest with those you love as well as friends in your personal life?  This process starts with honest communication, which is sometimes easier said than done, depending on the circumstances.   

One prominent example at work is during performance reviews.   Based on the leadership of Joel Manby, one way to ensure honesty is to divide the individual  performance review into three categories:
Same as
More of
Less of
Notice that the most negative of the three categories is last.   Now the discussion be ones more quantitative than subjective, which makes it easier to be honest.

When doing the “dreaded firing,” make sure that you end this person’s employment honestly while protecting that person’s dignity.    Please strive to be gracious, humble, and compassionate during the conversation.   It is also important to remember that it is OK to give second chances unless the termination is caused by illegal activity or harms others.    Not every second chance has a good outcome, but saving someone’s livelihood can be one of the most gratifying experiences of your leadership career.

Remember, it all starts with honest personal interaction and communication.

Sure would love to hear your thoughts and comments regarding individual honesty, especially the experiences that saved someone’s professional and/or personal career.
Next weeks’a blog will discuss a leader being “ grudgeless.”    I love this word!!!

If you enjoy these blogs, please consider the opportunity to partner with me to present a “90 minute or half day “Love and Compassion for Successful Leaders” program in your organization.    The presentation is filled with real life, practical case studies along with lots of interactive and fun discussions.    It also is a way to re-energize your teams.

I hope you have a week filled with leadership love and compassion!

David