We arrived at dock side beside a strikingly beautiful Cruise ship. During embarkation 2,300 of us laughed talked and shared dreams of our cruise. The ship was ready, the 1000 plus crew were ready, the ship was sparkling clean. The ten restaurants, lounges, fitness centre, spa, casino and library were ready for us. We were directed to our stateroom complete with balcony overlooking the ocean in preparation for a wonderful holiday.
This ship had a practice common to other cruise lines. Our safety was to be first and foremost. Hence, every day the crew had a practice drill. I was thrilled. The inconvenience was irrelevant as the staff practiced lifeboat drill, automatic door closure and abandon ship to name a few.
However, something from a leadership perspective concerned me. We already know that poor bosses typically focus on problems, not solutions. Ineffective bosses will discipline a staff member anytime, anywhere, even in public. On the converse, we know that effective bosses work to make staff feel important. Employees want to follow a leader who cares. Joel Manby in Love Works tells us, “the definition of CEO needs to be expanded. It also stands for ‘Chief Encouragement officer”. He also confirms, “I determined never to publicly admonish people in a way that would diminish their dignity”.
Back to our cruise ship and the daily safety exercise. At the conclusion of each exercise the respective Manager would call a staff member with a particular number to the office. It didn’t take long for me to notice that staff member #341 was not performing to the optimum. This staff member was routinely called to report after the safety exercises.
It was a fascinating coincidence that during our cruise, I was reading, It’s Your Ship by Michael Abrashoff. Note his comments, “Show me a manager who ignores the power of praise, and I will show you a lousy Manager.” Or, from Joel Manby and Love Works, “a reprimand should be given in private, and it should be given in a way that maintains a person’s dignity.”
Leadership is …ensuring the people who work for you feel needed and highly valued.
Laurie D. Kennedy
Leadership Coach
Jethro Group