Are you playing the long game?
Mudit Yadav
Empowering Leaders to Drive Positive Impact through Effective Communication
There was an argument between two people of different teams who were supposed to work together on a project. One of them refused to submit his portion of the deliverable. What seemed petty, escalated to a level that the CEO had to step in.
Here is how the original conversation followed:
CEO: So Amit (name changed), what is going on?
Amit: (Narrates the drama)
CEO: Amit, yours is a client facing job and you have really done well over the past many years. I have seen your ratings and they have only been consistently rising. I am proud to have someone like you in this organisation.
Amit: (Almost blushes)
CEO: But listen, I like conclusion on things. Please get this sorted with and I would like to see your deliverable within a week.
Amit: Yes sir (Leaves the room)
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This is a true story. Amit was speaking with me and was completely disgruntled with the CEO’s behaviour and lack of empathy. The issue was resolved, however, the CEO lost Amit’s commitment forever.
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Here is an alternate version of how the conversation could have been:
CEO: So Amit, what is going on?
Amit: (Narrates the drama)
CEO: Amit, yours is a client facing job and you have really done well over the past many years. I have seen your ratings and they have only been consistently rising. I am proud to have someone like you in this organisation.
Amit: (Almost blushes)
CEO: I also understand that if this has really escalated to me, then it must be exceptionally difficult circumstances for you.
Amit: Yes sir
CEO: How does all of this affect you?
Amit: (More drama and details)
CEO: I understand this is difficult. You sound like even you would like a way out of this impasse. How do you propose we come to a conclusion?
Amit: (proposed solution)
CEO: You know that if you need any support, you can come around and meet me?
Amit: Yes sir (Leaves the room)
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As a leader, it is not hard to win a negotiation with your employees. They know you can fire them and they will usually not negotiate beyond a point. Winning a negotiation with your employees is like brining a gun to a knife fight. It is easy, and it is short game.
However, if you can make your employees feel that THEY won the negotiation when they walk out of the room; that is playing the long game.
Mudit Yadav
Founder
MY Success Coach
www.mysuccesscoach.in
An Aspiring Investment Banker
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