Last night Miss made the most amazing batch of lentil soup. I love her lentil soup. Talk about eating like a meal. I had just polished off bowl number two, when the phone rang. It was Krit’s. I leapt into action. After two bowls of lentil, leaping is less than expected. Moving on.
Krit’s was in her car and, in fact, was speaking through the car system. She sounded great even though the sound quality was less than optimal. She was with her friend, Clint, and promptly informed me that she had something to tell me. I waited and hoped that what she was about to tell me was good news.
It was NOT. Good news, that is.
She had run out of gas. Her roommate had come to the rescue and all was well. We chatted, the three of us, for the next five minutes or so and then said our good bye’s and hung up. I informed Miss of our conversation, went back to my office, and reflected on what had just happened.
Our “little girl” had just called, from far away, to give us some bad news. She had called, from far away, to give us some bad news, in front of a friend of hers that’s a young man. She had called, to give us some bad news, in front of a friend, and without any fear that she might be embarrassed by her parents. She had called, to give us some bad news, in front of a friend, without fear of embarrassment, and, on top of all that, she had not attempted to spin the message. She had been clear, concise, and direct. Come to think of it, her voice even had her characteristic “optimistic tone” on top of all that.
I found myself smiling.
One of my most valued team members had just delivered some bad news directly to me. Nothing terrible. Nothing huge. No big deal, really. But, as I reflected, I was overcome with a very peaceful thought that, even if it had been “huge,” it wouldn’t have been any different. Krit’s, thanks for the special delivery.
Very cool.
How easily does your team deliver bad news up the chain of command?
What are you doing, as a leader, to encourage such a “special delivery,” even if it’s NOT good?
Tell me more…
BUILT TO LEAD 