Don’t Forget Your 2 X 4

TOPICs: LEADERSHIP SKILLS

Don’t Forget Your 2 X 4

One of my good friends is a personal trainer. He looks every bit the part of a personal trainer but he is the most affable, mild mannered guy you could ever know. Recently he was driving back to his gym for a training appointment when his route was blocked by an individual driving an old pickup. When it became apparent that he wasn’t going to move my friend politely beeped his horn to get the man’s attention. The guy immediately jumped out of his truck gesturing wildly and cursing. As Caine slowly stepped from his Tahoe he revealed a 6’ 4” chiseled frame, shaved head and a healthy set of tattoos. Not surprisingly the pickup driver chose to move his truck rather than engage my friend any further. How empowering it must feel to be so physically intimidating!

We live in a world which increasingly views conflict as a normal part of life. Some people actually prefer confrontation as a means of getting their way. My approach is different and has evolved as I have grown older. I entered adulthood copying the confrontational style I learned while growing up. But as our boys went through the difficult years of adolescence, I learned that the threat of repercussions was a far more valuable tool than the imposition of consequences. Don’t get me wrong – consequences were imposed – but as soon as our boys learned that they could survive whatever I dished out the impact of punishment was diminished. The same concept holds true in management at all levels.

During a difficult time in the world, Ronald Reagan practiced what he called “peace through strength.” As long as our enemies feared consequences from America’s superior military strength, they threatened but never followed through with aggressive actions. Our military never had to fire a shot and a new era of world peace was achieved.

Employees need to know that they will face consequences if they step out of line. Sometimes they need to be figuratively smacked with a 2 x 4 but that should be your last course of action. You will always accomplish more if they know you carry a 2 x 4 than you will by actually using it. In other words, be more like Ronald Reagan than Dirty Harry.

I certainly don’t advocate managing through fear, but I also understand that a little bit of fear on the part of employees is healthy. You must have lines which cannot be crossed without consequences. Idle threats are guaranteed to produce lost respect, while applying appropriate consequences sends a clear message that you mean business.

My friend Caine is his own 2 x 4, but most of us don’t have that luxury. Be sure your employees know that you have an entirely different gear if provoked, but the longer you can go without revealing that gear, the greater your control. Always remember that the fear of consequences is almost always much more powerful than the consequences themselves.