Opinion: Leaders' lies produce unrealistic optimism

How tacky, unethical, slovenly, vile and repulsive to be known as a liar. This column is not a personal attack; it is a professional challenge for every leader who has lied.

You, like every other leader who went before or after you, are regularly seduced to lie.

Why? Lying is just easy.

I believe there are seven “acceptable” lies most leaders believe they have been endowed by their Creator to tell. I will provide the reason why it is easy to play fast and loose with the truth.

Lie No. 1: “We have a strategic plan for our future.”

This is an easy response for leadership because it responds to the accusation, “This place has no mission or purpose. We just keep doing the same thing and nothing ever changes around here.”

If your organization does not have at least a three-year plan for how you will respond to radical shifts in the economy, attitudes of your consumers and challenges from your competitors, Lie No. 1 is a great way to get everyone off your back.

Lie No. 2: “You are doing acceptable work in your job.”

Notice the choice of the word “acceptable.” This word normally means, “You are not measuring up to what I want from you, but I don’t have the time or energy to fight with you over your annual performance review.”

This lie never results in positive change. It is the verbal equivalent of grits. You know you had something for breakfast, but it was not worthy of the adjectives “great” or “outstanding.”

Lie No. 3: “We need to develop a risk-free environment for new ideas.”

You will know this is a lie if the leader, after hearing a new idea that includes thinning out management ranks, responds with, “If anyone has a serious idea, we are ready to entertain it.”

No one produces new ideas if he does not feel safe.

Lie No. 4: “Our customer service is the best in the nation.”

That statement is a glib generalization that gives everyone the “happies.” Unfortunately, it is not based in fact.

The wrong people to decide the quality of your customer service are the people rocking back and forth in faux-leather chairs in some conference room. If you want to know how good, or how bad, your service is, ask your customers.

Lie No. 5: “We are not getting older, we are getting better.”

Sometimes “older” and “better” are not synonymous. This is a lie if your organization has not made an internal organizational review, led by an outside consultant, to accurately determine what activities and policies are adding to or detracting from your success.

Lie No. 6: “I want to hear what you like and do not like about our plan for next year.”

Really? This is a lie if, after issuing this open-ended invitation, someone from the staff stands and says, “I think our plan will fail, and I am concerned about the implications for our reputation in the industry” – and the leader responds, “I am looking for positive people to be part of this department.”

Lie No. 7: “Our future looks bright.”

I would agree with that statement if it was attached to, “We have four, specific challenges this year. After we have successfully addressed these issues, I am convinced our future looks bright.”

The essence of caring, respectful leadership is someone who can be both realistic and positive. The realism always precedes the optimism.

So, how about it? Any lies lying around your office today?

Cal LeMon of Executive Enrichment Inc. solves organizational problems with customized training and consulting. He can be reached at execenrichment@aol.com.