Clarify RULES of Engagement
“Rules of Engagement” define expectations and boundaries — what is and is not permissible behavior.
When one of our clients, The Bama Companies, a major supplier to McDonald’s, aimed to become a billion-dollar company, they created a new mergers and acquisitions department.
One of the Rules of Engagement they set for the new department was “only acquire companies compatible with Bama’s culture” — a culture with an unusually high commitment to safety, integrity, and quality of life for all employees.
This Rule became a gateway decision filter, so choices could be made quickly about what companies to even consider. The Rule ensured that no one would be wasting time researching or negotiating deals with companies that would not be a good fit for the Bama culture.
Could Bama have achieved its goal to become a billion-dollar company without its “cultural fit” Rule for acquisitions? It would have been far easier to acquire companies without this requirement. But in the eyes of the Bama people, the cost would have been too great.
Making the Case for Rules of Engagement
We’ve found that Rules of Engagement are essential for every organization. Of course, you sometimes have to make the case for them.
A few years ago, as we were starting a project with a new client, an executive challenged us. “Why are we wasting time on this ‘Rules of Engagement’ stuff? We believe in empowerment!”
What do you think happens when people hear that kind of message? Do they think, “Great! Let’s get going!” No, they don't.
People rarely move quickly because they know that leaders always have expectations and boundaries. People fear if they unwittingly violate them, there will be consequences.
That is why people want expectations and boundaries to be clarified — not to the point of dictating their every move, but with enough specificity for them to quickly allow their creativity and enthusiasm to flourish.
Advantages of Rules of Engagement
Rules of Engagement are not permanent; they are reconsidered as circumstances change. The fact that they're not ‘set in stone’ is a key advantage because few situations are static.
Another advantage area is change management. Rules of Engagement are antidotes to legacy mindsets. We've found them to be a simple, but powerful tool for driving new ways of working because they shift the organization’s thinking patterns.
3 Keys for Clarifying Rules of Engagement
The critical task for leaders is to ensure that people have the right Rules of Engagement to meet the exigencies of their current situation.
When clarifying your Rules of Engagement, be sure to:
- Make them simple to understand. If they are too complex, they are of little value.
- Remain ready to change a Rule quickly whenever new circumstances arrive.
- Ensure the current Rules are understood and committed to by everyone.
Until canceled or changed, Rules of Engagement should remain top-of-mind and be followed. The fact that they are not permanent does not mean they can be ignored.
~ Leland Russell | GEO Group Strategic Services
*I provide leaders with creative ways to accelerate growth and performance in their organizations. With my firm, GEO Group Strategic Services, I’ve helped hundreds of CEO’s, business owners, and mission-critical teams achieve exceptional results.
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Learn how GEO can help you Clarify Rules of Engagement. Schedule a free consultation.