Standing Up for Your team : Lead by Example

A few years ago, I was a part of a team consisting of seven or eight people. I was close friends with one of the coworkers, and our levels of experience were nearly same. I would say he was quick-witted and quick to pick things up. He might be a little stubborn at times, though. On certain days, I witnessed my team lead and he getting into heated arguments, to the point of nearly yelling at one another. On those days, he would express his annoyance with the team lead over coffee in the evening or at night.

“What a pathetic lead he is; he believes his methods are the best and that he is the only talented person in the company. He wants me to work past my shift hours, that too in the areas I absolutely detest. He tells that I was arrogant. Can you imagine?” He would say while blowing few rings of smoke in to the air. After listening, I would respond, "I understand that your opinions frequently diverge from his.? Although it could be annoying at times, he is not that kind of person what you think him of.”?

"I do not know why you favour this terrible lead so much!"?

"How about we get some ice cream?" I would ask him to divert the topic and pacify him.

The following day Over coffee, my lead would say, "He's a really talented guy.? However, he frequently acts in a very arrogant and stubborn manner and refuses to consider my viewpoint. Dealing with him in these situations is really difficult. Please, if you can, let him understand how much I respect and admire his talent. Additionally, I want to place him in the areas he enjoys. However, there are moments when everyone must cooperate and finish certain monotonous tasks. Since he is a good friend of yours, he will probably understand after you explain.”

"I'll give it a shot." I would say.

Still, the state of affairs persisted for a considerable amount of time.?

Following a few months of this conversation, there was a critical production incident that resulted in an application perform exceptionally slow. In India, it was almost eleven thirty PM. Our team came up with a solution and the recovery plan. My friend carried out the steps. Then something happened and worse was yet to come.

A few crucial database tables were truncated by him by mistake while carrying out the recovery procedures. Application came to a standstill and the issue flared up in the quarters of senior management. DBAs were involved. To make a long tale short, we had to work with DBA for a long, sleepless night in order to restore those tables from backup. The application finally resumed its optimal speed and operation almost after seven hours. Over the following two days, there were sporadic data issues reported, though these were resolved as soon as they were received.

All senior managers at my organisation and the client we worked for became aware of the incident. My friend had every reason to believe that he would lose his job, which made him quite tense. An incident review call with top management was scheduled following two days of recovery and system stability. There was my whole team. It was my team lead who was speaking from our side.? "The team lead finally got something solid to get back at me," My friend whispered in my ear before entering the room.

My team lead provided an overview of the incident. He was questioned extensively about the timelines, recovery procedures, and mitigation strategies for the future. He responded with amazing efficacy and patience.

"I appreciate the comprehensive mitigation plan. Tell me, though, who truncated those tables. I'm curious to know.” Said one of the senior managers at the client side.

There was brief silence while my lead's upper management looked at him. They already knew.

“I truncated those tables- It was my mistake.” my lead stated, raising his head.?

“Let's face it—that is untrue, as we all know. You are too careful and responsible to make a mistake like that.” — the manager laughed.?

“Not really, though. This would not have happened if I had been very cautious. There is no difference between my team and me here. Since I am in charge of this team, I am also responsible for this mess and the ineffective process which caused it. I apologise for the inconvenience and can assure you that with a comprehensive mitigation strategy in place and my skilled team with me, this is less likely to happen again.”

No wonder my friend was looking at my lead with wide, startled eyes.?

After the meeting, over lunch, my? friend said, “I Don't understand this guy - I don't know what to tell him or how to show my face to him"

“Say a Thank you.” I grinned.?

"As if that's? enough."? Said my friend looking out across the window.

Naturally, he gave my team lead a heartfelt thank you, and their relationship took a dramatic turn after that. They were never seen arguing or yelling at each other. My friend was more committed and adaptable than before.?

My team lead got married a few months later. He was returning from his honeymoon vacation, he had some urgent work to finish after reaching.?

He contacted my friend: "Hey, my train is running really late; could you please let the client manager know that this task will be delayed? It? is urgent and will not earn a very good impression but we can do nothing. I will reach office directly as soon as possible.”

"Hey, don't worry; I'm capable of handling that. You enjoy your time and take today and tomorrow off. I'll complete the task and let the client manager know.”

"But that will take time and is not so simple."?

“I am an arrogant fellow and will not listen - you know -right?”

I heard my team lead laughing at the other side and thanking him.?

My friend put in a full night's effort until six in the morning to complete the task.?

"You worked all night?" I asked him when I met him in the morning.

"The client won’t be able to raise his finger at us now. Besides A man got to enjoy his honeymoon, right? Chai Pilayega (Will you join me for tea?)“ My friend? grinned.?

Do you always stand up for your team? If you do it is highly possible that the team will also stand up for you.

Definitely one of the most valuable lessons my Team Lead? had taught me then which I could hardly learn from any management book.?

********