Computers are wonderful tools but they can be maddening at times. I’m sure you’ve had the experience where you want a computer to do something but for some reason it won’t work. All you get for feedback is an error message or a error sound. The machine can’t tell you what it wants and that can be very frustrating.
In some organizations, leaders seem to take inspiration from computers. Their staff is constantly trying to figure out what he or she needs. Instructions are confusing, conflicting, or not stated at all.
Sometimes this is a leadership style where the leader wants staff to constantly be on their toes and spend a lot of time considering his or her needs.
In other cases, this style is a reflection of someone who may be good enough to get a supervisory position doesn’t understand how to lead a team.
In either case, is the leader getting the most out of his or her staff? Are communication mistakes being made that cut into productivity? Are staff burning out from constantly being unsure what’s needed from them and having to repeat processes?
Perhaps the most important question to consider is whether a highly effective leader is ever not an excellent communicator.
