Mixed Messages Are Killing Your Vision

Hard questions to fix eroding team loyalty

Dear Leader,

In my last letter, I challenged you to develop your vision for the company. So, to build on that theme, our next task is to communicate it. But, while regular communication matters, the real impact is leader behavior.

In my work with your team, it seems that there is a mixed message problem. Let me give you something specific. Your assistant, a single mother, recently requested to work from home due to foul weather that closed schools. She was denied. Faced with no options and a company policy which strictly forbids children in the office, the child stayed in the car in the parking lot for the entire shift. You happened to work remotely that day because of the foul weather.

The employees are noticing these types of mixed messages from you and interpreting them in a manner that is not beneficial. Regardless of its validity, employees will feel resentful and there will be a corresponding lowering of their commitment to the cause and loyalty to you. When it comes to the vision, this type of hypocrisy must be eliminated.

You need to spend some time evaluating yourself critically. Ask, “Am I committed to our goals?” “Am I acting in ways that don’t reflect the company’s vision?” “Am I earning the loyalty of my employees?”

Getting outside yourself to honestly answer these questions can be difficult, but this is what separates the leader from the authority figure. Leaders show the way, demonstrating that sacrifice for the vision is worthwhile.

This is not an attack. This letter is a mirror which will allow you to see what others see. Your actions communicate your priorities. Demonstration of the priority of the mission will communicate more effectively than preaching. We have the vision written, let’s implement it from the top down.

Park Wiker

P.S. Nietzsche reminds us, “He who cannot obey himself will be commanded. That is the nature of living creatures.”