Executive Amnesia

You have most likely heard the term, Selective Amnesia. This is the condition that strikes us anytime we don’t want to remember something. Maybe your spouse told you about something, but you really weren’t interested so you delete it from your memory banks. You might have an argument later about whether it was even told to you at all. It can also be even more nefarious. You intentionally ignore something because it doesn’t align with what you want.

There is a similar, yet new twist on this idea that I learned recently. It is called Executive Amnesia. It doesn’t only apply to execs but any supervisor or leader. The condition is illustrated by having a discussion with your manager and agreeing on something. The next time you meet, at worst they don’t remember anything about it. At least, they backtrack on their previous decision and have a new idea for going forward.

If you have ever had a manager, you have probably experienced this. I think it is called Executive Amnesia because it seems to get worse the higher up in an organization someone is.

There are likely reasons for this condition. Most leaders have more on their plate than you may realize. And that plate often gets fuller the higher up you go. They also have a broader scope of responsibility and, therefore, they must pay attention to more things. The more things we juggle in our memory banks, the more likely we are to drop something.

This of course can be very frustrating for the person who works under someone with Executive Amnesia. The problem is that you do a lot of work on something only to have that work overturned, rearranged or completely eliminated. They are giving direction, but you are putting in the effort. It sucks to have your effort negated.

There are some things you can do to help the situation, for which there is probably no cure. Leaders are going to forget. So, help them remember.

1.????? Take notes during your discussion. It is shocking sometimes how rarely people show up to meetings with something to take notes with. It is great to blame changes on Executive Amnesia, but sometimes it is our own memory in the way.

2.????? Restate your instructions. Whether in person or through email, document what you heard and clarify whether you have your marching orders correct.

3.????? Send updates as you go along, especially right before an update meeting so the leader can ?be reminded of what is going on.

4.????? Be flexible. It is often that they may not have forgotten, but they now have new information that changes the direction they want to go. Or sometimes, once they see it, it isn’t what they had in mind, and they want to alter it.

5.????? Document changes. Always clarify when going in a different direction. Also, you may want to update them on what the cost of those changes are in time, budget, etc. You can say something like, “Certainly! I am happy to make those changes. Just to be clear, this will extend this work by two weeks and $700 more in expenses.” Sometimes that information alone may cause them to rethink the new idea or allow them the opportunity to give you other ideas for execution.

We all suffer some form of casual amnesia from time to time. It is usually not intentional. But adding clarity to the process and being flexible with changes is our best response when it happens to us.

David B. McLaughlin is an experienced member of the HR and Talent Development community and host of the podcast, The Mindful Leader.?But wait, there’s more! He just released his second blues album, The Stranger, available on all streaming platforms!?Find out more at thatsfantasticentertainment.com.