Back 'Em Or Sack 'Em

Winston Churchill was seldom indecisive. History records that there were few vagaries in the life and times of arguably the 20th Century's most influential person. During the defense of the Island of Crete, however, Churchill could not make up his mind about his field commander, General Archibald Wavell. Wavell was a traditionalist, lacked imagination and élan, and at Crete the German onslaught quickly put Wavell's command in harm's way. Days passed, as more German paratroopers landed on the island. With superior air cover overhead and the inertia of the attacker, it was a desperate time, meant for desperate measures. British military chronicles record that at the height of frustration, Churchill's chief of staff Sir Alan Brooke threw up his hands, challenging, "Winston, either back him or sack him."

Fast-forward to today, where there are clearly a growing number of companies in all endeavors, putting field leadership in impossible situations. From real estate to radio, where once field leaders had clear autonomy to make line decisions that could swiftly improve a competitive situation, the growing trend is carrying us in the opposite direction. Indecision hangs in the air. Managers are reminded they are accountable for outcome, but are often without the means or endorsement to execute important tactical decisions. For some, trying to get simple answers to questions leading to a singular action are out of reach, waiting on the vagaries of corporate footwork.

The net effect of this forever-never ambiguity means chaining market managers to impassivity, leading in turn to decompression of confidence and momentum. Worse, many field managers in corporate America have a growing sense that they are fully expendable -- neither highly valued nor regarded as key people. Radio is on the high road to forcing managers who were once "work-creators" to become "work processors," resulting in casualties amidst our programming ranks, further suppressing innovation.

Almost any leader can function under adversity. Most can even handle the realization that they're not the right fit for the job. Virtually no one, however, can thrive in a climate of uncertainty, endless time waiting for communication, planning, or fluid dialog through top-down support.

Whether you're running a division or an entire company, step back and inventory your field leaders. Are they confident in their company's confidence? Can you strengthen their connection to critical decision-making? Have you given them "permission" to make a mistake, balanced with personal ownership of reward and consequence? Have you reinforced their role in the greater company process?

As programming consultants to radio clusters that come in all shapes and sizes, we see glowing examples of companies that get this right, mixed with an alarming percentage that have not grasped the potential of their field leaders, nor the need for streamlined decision-making and autonomy. They are paying the bill with interest.

Few companies can afford the luxury of indecision. In a scoreboard business where the Eleventh Commandment is, "Thou shall not lose," we're behind the curve. For your stations' sake and the health of your field management, either back 'em or sack 'em.