Brothers and sisters:
Alley. East 40th and Prospect, Cleveland, OH
Each one of us has had an experience where a decision by a boss has left us scratching our head and wondering, “What in the world are they thinking?” Whether it is a route change, adding a job, canceling a long-held contract or a personnel move we have all experienced changes that have left us wondering about the collective wisdom of our leadership.
Being in a position of authority is never easy. You are constantly being second-guessed by everyone, someone is always waiting to plunge a knife in your back and you hope that the paint in the house you just built will be dry before your boss discovers you are the epitome of the Peter Principle.
Before verbalizing your disapproval, take a minute and think about whether your words will make the situation better or add fuel to a fire. Many of us are on good enough terms with our boss that if we ask them for an explanation they will give it to us. Sometimes they’ll even tell us the truth.
Many times they have sound reasoning behind the decision, but on those occasions when they don’t then it is important to keep a cool head and explain things from your perspective. If you know just showing up to do full loads will go over like a test cart down a hatch, let him know so that the customer doesn’t get peeved for the wrong reason.
I’m trying to emphasize that communication is important and it is a two-way street. Make sure that your lane is open and give your boss the opportunity do his part in the process. If he doesn’t take the opportunity, then you have a reason to gripe.
Through the Mill 