giving left and right limits (don't be too nice)

I read a great article on Slate today, titled "Why I regret being a nice boss" which chronicles the structural problems of the author's failed business. As the author, Laura Smith, points out, all people problems are structural problems. Employees showing up late to work is an example of a boss's failure to establish defined structures. A bad leader will only look skin deep, complaining that it was the employees' fault for not following the rules. And yes, it's true, an employee who shows up late IS at fault. But the manager/owner/shift leader is also to blame if they did not establish clear-cut guidance. It is common sense that you should show up to work on time, no duh. But if you join a organization where timeliness isn't enforced, even the most stalwart employee will slip into a lackadaisical attitude. I've certainly done it.

A good leader provides what we call "left and right limits." On any firearms range, the limit to which you can shoot to your right and left are clearly marked with massive poles so every Soldier can see precisely what constitutes "kill-able" versus "non-kill-able". If it's between the two poles (the left and right limits of the range), shoot it. If it's outside either of the poles, do not shoot it. Easy, right? Clear, precise guidance, no ambiguity whatsoever. This is the picture-perfect example for providing direction to subordinates. Outside of an extremely controlled system like a firing range, it almost never happens that easily. But it does provide clarity to a leader of what "right looks like". All leaders should try to provide those "left and right limits" to our subordinates.

I realize that at times, this may seem belittling or immature. Grown-ass men and women shouldn't hear when to show up to work, when they can take breaks, or what they can or cannot wear at the office. Yet, without an underlying structure to the organization providing the employee/subordinate an example of what right looks like, faults occur. I dealt with this issue this morning. Some of my men showed up late to work. Some were 5 minutes late, some were 15. So I corrected them immediately, and reminded them of their responsibility to be at work on time. They are all mature, responsible individuals, no doubt. But if a system isn't in place (it was) or wasn't enforced (is wasn't), people start to slide. It's just natural. If your boss and coworkers aren't worried about being on time, you won't be either.

A good leader must be consistent in their enforcing of the rules. Irregularity breeds discontentment which spawns disaster.