Ring in the new year. Our next Leadership class in Fort Lauderdale begins January 9, 2008. Registration is open at www.workingleadership.com.
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“I feel let down,” Melanie lamented. “I don’t know how I am going to explain this to the CEO. He has a short temper for this kind of thing. The worst part is, I’m just the messenger, but likely to get the brunt of it.”
Kyle, one of Melanie’s direct reports had just quit, leaving the rest of her team with more work and a tight deadline.
“Why do you feel you are just the messenger?” I asked.
Melanie moved her head back, almost startled. “I am not sure what you mean,” she said. “I’m not the one who quit. I am just the one who has to report it upstairs.”
“You’re Kyle’s manager?” I confirmed.
“Well, yes, but Kyle is the one who quit.”
“I understand Kyle is the one who quit and I am also curious to know who is responsible for the team that is now missing a member with a backlog that is going to crunch an important deadline?”
“But, Kyle is the one who quit,” Melanie protested. “You can’t hold me accountable for the pickle we’re in. I know I am the manager, but what am I supposed to do?”
I think that Melanie should find an immediate temporary fix that will keep production moving by delegating (splitting) kyle’s responsibilities among the rest of the team. Once that is in place, she should start looking for a replacement either from within (preferably), or from other sources. This is the perfect oportunity to have an “on the fly” meeting with the rest of the team and explain the importance of the situation.
I have been in this situation and you would be surprized as to who rises to the occasion. There are usually people on the team chomping at the bit for the chance to show what they can do if given the chance.
This is a blessing in disguise!