General Douglas MacArthur led American forces in the Pacific from 1942 to 1945. His 17 questions with regard to leadership have been cited in numerous articles and books on Leadership. So, I believe I am in good company to cite these questions once again:

1. Do I heckle my subordinates or strengthen and encourage them?
2. Do I use moral courage in getting rid of subordinates who have proved themselves beyond doubt to be unfit?
3. Have I done all in my power by encouragement, incentive and spur to salvage the weak and erring?
4. Do I know by NAME and CHARACTER a maximum number of subordinates for whom I am responsible? Do I know them intimately?
5. Am I thoroughly familiar with the technique, necessities, objectives and administration of the job?
6. Do I lose my temper at individuals?
7. Do I act in such a way as to make my individuals want to follow me?
8. Do I delegate tasks that should be mine?
9. Do I arrogate everything to myself and delegate nothing?
10. Do I develop my subordinates by placing on each one as much responsibility as he can stand?
11. Am I interested in the personal welfare of each of my subordinates, as if he were a member of my own family?
12. Have I the calmness of voice and manner to inspire confidence, or am I inclined to irascibility and excitability?
13. Am I inclined to be nice to my superiors and mean to my subordinates?
14. Am I a constant example to my subordinates in character, dress, deportment and courtesy?
15. Is my door open to my subordinates?
16. Do I think more of POSITION (STATUS) than JOB?
17. Do I correct a subordinate in front of others?

(Source: “The West Point Way Of Leadership” by Colonel Larry R Donnithorne)

“Given the economy right now, it’s easy for rumors to get started,” said Dennis Hoppe, owner of New York-based Change Management Implementation, Inc., a consulting firm. “People assume the worst, and in many cases their fears are validated.”

I found this quote from 2003 and it still rings true today. Many experts say that it is a lack of communication that sparks rumors, particularly about the direction a company may be going. I recently went on a cruise to the Bahamas. When I returned, I learned that the General Manager at my company was recently said to have moved on to other opportunities. However, the acting GM that replaced him is well known as the man who transitions companies in a totally new direction or prepares them for a sell-off or shutdown. So, needless to say the rumor mill is in full swing.

Very swiftly, the rumors reached executive levels of management, and senior leaders and their direct reports were given their ‘talking points’. However accurate these talking points may be, the absence of more specific information invites people to make up their own versions of reality. So what do us in middle management do? Continue Reading »
Rumor at Work?