How do your decisions define you?

 

 

As a leader there is a simple truth.  You are praised for your best decisions but remembered for your worst.  This may seem unfair but it is a reality. Why, because we expect your best as a function of your responsibilities.  After all, isn’t that why you hold the position? 

Your decisions, your best decisions, advance the enterprise. That’s a reasonable expectation. But your bad decisions stall progress and your worst decisions may be catastrophic… both personally and professionally.

The first two legs of the stool are authority and responsibility.  But it is accountability that allows that stool to stand.

Here are some examples that speak to the point.

Dennis Muilenburg was the CEO at Boeing and was praised for promoting the development of the company’s 737 Max aircraft.  This plane was going to revolutionize the industry and help the environment at the same time.  The problem was that Boeing rushed the plane into production and subsequently two of these aircraft crashed within months killing hundreds.  Muilenburg was fired for both his oversight errors and for the undistinguished manner in which he handled the PR fallout.

He is not remembered for his career and accomplishments.  He wears the hair shirt for the consequences of his actions regarding the 737 Max.

Steve Easterbrook was appointed CEO at McDonald’s in 2015 at a time of company turmoil.  He instituted a number of changes to operations, menus and franchises that brought about significant financial improvements to the company.  But in 2019 it was revealed that he had repeatedly ignored company policy with respect to personal conduct and he was fired.  His $105 million termination package was subsequently clawed back by the company when the full extent of his misconduct became known.

Who remembers what operational improvements he instituted?  Most just remember that his Big Mac was in places not on the menu.

Travis Kalanick started Uber as the first ride sharing company and built it into a dominant player in that space. But he was fired because he created a toxic and sexist workplace and left in disgrace.

There is a common thread to all of these examples.  The dismissals were not predicated on incompetence. They were a result of failures in their character; moral, ethical or legal.  Thus they were personal choices that each person made and sadly these are the things that we remember. Pride and arrogance were at the root of their actions.  Their accomplishments are things of the past but their failures will follow them for a long time. 

As leaders you make decisions every day.  Not all will work out as you hoped. But as long as you have done your best to ensure that you have been morally, ethically and legally proper you can recover because your character is intact.

Lead with your words and your actions.  Others will take note and follow!