The Seven Cs: Partnership Danger Signs - The 5th C: Control Issues
A series of articles exploring the seven critical areas that can indicate a partnership is in trouble.
The 5th C: Control Issues
When control is in the picture it is a lose/lose proposition.
First, it is an illusion that anyone can control a person or a situation. The need to control is born of fear, lack of trust and insecurity. A person who feels it is necessary to control is robbed of a sense of well being. In business, control or the attempt to control can occur in many venues.
The attempt to control can go on at the top between partners or anywhere else in the organization where two or more people work together. It may be between a group of managers, or between a CEO and direct report. It can be a manager and the team for whom he or she is responsible. It might be an owner CEO and stock holders, or a member of the board of directors. Family members such as siblings often attempt to control each other, or a father hands the business to his son, but won't let go of the reins.
When someone attempts to control, they expend enormous mental and emotional energy to hold things within boundaries. Controlling behavior is constrictive and confining. It takes its toll on one's ability to function in a healthy, stress free and creative manner.
In business where the desirable goals are growth, expansion and creativity, this constricting behavior imposes the loss of these elements and seriously affects the bottom line. Here are some ways in which this loss is manifested:
7 WAYS CONTROLLING BEHAVIOR EFFECTS THE BOTTOM LINE
- Unhappy, controlled employees do not work to capacity.
- Unhappiness breeds stress, illness and costs in sick leave and lack of productivity.
- Increased turnover is costly. Often businesses do not calculate the enormous costs around turnover such as costs for advertising, loss of the revenue until a new person is hired, trained and moved up to the level of the prior person, as well as a compensation package. There are higher taxes for Workman's Compensation when a business has employees leaving.
- Loss of clients who liked that person may leave.
- Projects that were left unfinished may never get completed.
- Demoralization of employees left behind.
- Overall lower level functioning when top managers and CEO's stifle the atmosphere by controlling behavior
An example of controlling behavior is Lance, who was promoted to manager of a department in the bank where his expert financial skills earned him recognition. However, no one thought about or realized his people skills were not developed. He had never had any training in how to be a manager. Now faced with his new challenge his previous level of self confidence diminished to zero. But since he didn't want anyone to know it, he remained hidden a lot in his office, didn't interact in a personal way with his team members, and micro-managed them by requiring them to get his ok on everything they did, even ordering paper clips. The result was a demoralized, low functioning team made up of disgruntled members who felt devalued and lacked motivation to be creative and productive. This type of control, as in all controlling behavior, besides debilitating to the individuals involved, negatively affects the bottom line of the business.
It is more cost effective not to place people in positions requiring skills and talents beyond their present level. A more positive solution would be to offer the candidate for promotion the opportunity for personal development through coaching.
When partnerships are made up of family members it is even more pronounced. For example, older siblings may boss younger ones. They may diminish, victimize, browbeat, threaten or protect. Younger ones may be defiant or fall victim.
Obviously, not only their relationship but the business and all of those involved in it will pay the price.
How To Stop Controlling Behavior
- Having a coach on board helps the controlled person let his feelings be known in a non-threatening manner and also helps the controller grow from these revelations.
- Learn to build trust with the client(s) through coaching.
- Encourage productivity and creativity by showing how to value and appreciate each other.
- Learn how to delegate without fear of loss of stature
- Encourage input and creative ideas and the permission to do them
- Show a top executive that if his team members out perform him it reflects well on him. It may also secure his positioning for promotion because his department will be left in good hands thanks to her good management skills.
- Address the structure of the partnership or team to ascertain if it is in alignment with the vision and goals they set for the business and is in sync with their values.
Coaching can be beneficial for anyone in an organization who exhibits controlling behavior. The first step to getting the behavior under control is self-awareness and that can be accelerated with the help of a coach. Then, as awareness is developed, previously negative situations can be turned around to be win/win for everyone.
About The Author
Dorene Lehavi, Ph.D. is principal of Next Level Business and Professional Coaching. She coaches Professionals and Business Partners and teaches teleclasses on techniques to break through barriers to the next level. Dr. Lehavi offers a complimentary coaching session so you can experience how coaching can work for you. Contact Dr. Lehavi at Dorene@CoachingforYourNextLevel.com or on the web at Http://www.CoachingforYourNextLevel.com. Subscribe to Mastering Your Next Level monthly e-newsletter at http://www.coachingforyournextlevel.com/newsletter.html
dorene@nextlevelpartnership.com
 Google News Updated : Sun, 12 Oct 2008 05:51:03 GMT Five killed in New York fire; 300 acres burn in Napa Valley - Austin American-Statesman
Austin American-Statesman - NEW YORK - A family of five, including three children, died in a blaze that filled an apartment with thick smoke and kept the victims from escaping through the front door, fire officials said. Napa County wildfire forces evacuations of over 100 homes Fire Threatens Napa Valley Homes and Wineries Publ.Date : Sun, 12 Oct 2008 04:27:05 GMT McCain supporters face uphill climb in blue Jersey - Newsday
Newsday - By WAYNE PARRY | AP Writer WOODBRIDGE, NJ - Walter Zjawin is trying to help John McCain do what no Republican has done in 20 years: win a presidential general election in New Jersey. Maine now on McCain radar McCain inches closer in Saturday's Gallup Publ.Date : Sat, 11 Oct 2008 14:04:37 GMT Singer Lisa Marie Presley gives birth to twins - The Associated Press
The Associated Press - LOS ANGELES (AP) - Lisa Marie Presley is a mom again. A publicist says the 40-year-old singer gave birth Tuesday to twin girls, whose names were not released. Lisa Marie Presley delivers twins: report Today's News: Our Take - Lisa Marie Presley Gives Birth to Twin Girls Publ.Date : Sun, 12 Oct 2008 02:11:28 GMT Bush, allies seek to calm jittery investors - BusinessWeek BusinessWeek - By JENNIFER LOVEN and MARTIN CRUTSINGER President Bush and financial leaders from nations rich and poor pledged Saturday to intensify their efforts to unblock a frozen financial system before it does more damage to an increasingly shaky global economy. Bush Says US Must Take Lead in Solving Crisis (Update3) Bush, allies seek to calm jittery investors Publ.Date : Sun, 12 Oct 2008 01:30:21 GMT On the trail to the White House - Fort Worth Star Telegram
Fort Worth Star Telegram - Sen. Barack Obama, Democratic presidential nominee, at a rally in Philadelphia on Saturday. AP/ALEX BRANDON Today’s headlines Report stings Palin over troopergate flap; Raw anger showing up in McCain crowds, candidate taking steps to minimize it; ... McCain Asks Supporters to Show Obama Respect Obama Thanks McCain for Urging Supporters to be Respectful Publ.Date : Sun, 12 Oct 2008 05:17:46 GMT Van driver's work in Mass. aided Nobel winners - Boston Globe
Boston Globe - HUNTSVILLE, Ala.—When two American scientists won a Nobel Prize this week in chemistry, the driver of a car dealership's courtesy van had reason to take special interest. Video: Nobel Chemistry Prize Goes for Jellyfish Protein  Comment by Jeremy M. Berg, Ph.D., Director National Institute of General Medical SciencesPubl.Date : Sun, 12 Oct 2008 04:14:18 GMT Theatrical Review of Body of Lies - DVDTOWN.com DVDTOWN.com - By Jason P. Vargo "Body of Lies" is a certain type of movie designed for a certain type of moviegoer. I think the tagline describes the movie perfectly, actually. Body of Lies 'Body of Lies': Desert Norm, By Kurt Loder Publ.Date : Sun, 12 Oct 2008 00:19:39 GMT Increased Website Traffic |
PARLOT::Ebooks, Scripts,
Websites, and more... Meriwether Lewis set the stage for the Corps of Discovery's... Read More Picking people for a job is like going... Read More Here are seven dangers of outsourcing your software development. They... Read More I often hear leaders from all types of organizations ask... Read More Remember Papa John's commercial on TV with the slogan "Better... Read More Quality Assurance, or QA, is often given short shrift in... Read More If a good manager asks his workforce for their opinion... Read More When you're starting a business, you might wish for a... Read More Teamwork is a process that can be experienced outdoors and... Read More Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More Fast Relief for Sarbanes Oxley Section 404 ComplianceSection 404 of... Read More Everyone wants to succeed yet everyone has a different perception... Read More This article relates to the organizational structure competency, commonly evaluated... Read More For Call Center managers, it is not a pipe dream... Read More I'm sure you've experienced those typical "headache" meetings! You know... Read More This article relates to the Compensation and Benefits competency, commonly... Read More I hear many complaints daily about the "unfairness" of politics... Read More The pure and simple truth is rarely pure and never... Read More When you first take over a department, expectations are usually... Read More Certain processes enhance creative output and others enhance innovative output.... Read More 1. Trust no one. Not your superiors and not your... Read More Speak of operations assessment, and we'll hear its significant value.... Read More E-mail, voicemail, "got a minute?" interruptions, multiple projects... Read More I've met and worked with many people in all sectors... Read More One of the most common complaints that business owners have... Read More
Adsense
websites
Tap Employee Passion For Business Success
Great Hires: Avoid Costly Mistakes
Avoid These Seven Deadly Dangers Of Outsourcing
Hiring Tip -- Picking The Best Candidates
Bolster Credibility with Investors--Avoid These Phrases in Your Business Plan
Use QA As Your First Step To Outsourcing
Does My Bum Look Big in This?
Weaknesses of Wishing
Teamwork Training: Learning to Build a Successful Team
Innovation Management ? Producing Great Products, Motivation
Sarbanes Oxley 404 Compliance - How Nov. 15, 2004 Deadline Affects You
Leadership: Stoking The Success Train
Tales from the Corporate Frontlines: The Organizational Structure of Our Growing Business
The Power of ?Ask?
Holding Effective Meetings Can Be Easier than You Think!
Tales From the Corporate Frontlines: An Unexpected Benefit
The Fairness of Office Politics... Integrity and Political Motivation!
The Truth?
How You Can Learn to be a Better Manager
Lateral Thinking, Logical Thinking, Applied Creativity
30 Ways to be a Butt-Head Boss
Auditing Improves Effective Planning
No Time to Focus on the Big Picture? Try Focus Management
Downsizing in Organisations - The Real Truth
Are You in Control of Your Practice or Does it Control You?
Affordable and Reliable Web Hosting Starting at $4.49/Month
Never Wrestle with a PIG
The business books at the library and book stores fill... Read More
How to Prepare for Your Companys Financial Future
Sooner or later, most business owners need to look for... Read More
Assertive Communication - 6 Tips For Effective Use
What IS assertive communication? Assertive communication is the... Read More
Indecent Proposal in the Workplace ? An Overview of Workplace Harassment & Employer Liability
An allegation of harassment in the workplace is a growing... Read More
The Gift of Gratitude
Gratitude might seem like a soft or even an obvious... Read More
Performance Expectations - 5 Tips and 5 Questions
People want to understand their role - they want to... Read More
Managing People - No One Shows You What To Do
Imagine the following scenario - you pay a visit to... Read More
Leadership Style: What Makes A Good Boss?
In today's competitive environment, companies realize that a good boss... Read More
Have You Always Thought That The Best Ideas Come From Research Or Management? Think Again
Many entrepreneurs and chief executive officers are unaware that there... Read More
In Leadership, The Critical Convergence Drives Great Results
The Leader's Fallacy lives! We subscribe to the Fallacy when... Read More
Managing People - No More Mr Tough Guy
I believe the media and our culture sends the wrong... Read More
Six Sigma Training 101 ? Better Management Basics
What is Six Sigma?Six Sigma is a quality management program... Read More
The 10 Realities of Change
I've seen several articles that begin with lines like "the... Read More
Turbo Charge Your Career With The Most Powerful Leadership Tool Of All: The Leadership Talk: Part 1
Leaders speak 15 to 20 times daily. You speak at... Read More
Employee Discipline: How to Nip Problems in the Bud
Are you uncomfortable with delivering disciplinary action, even involving employees... Read More
Diversity Training: The Worst Possible Reasons to Request Executive Funding
You're on your organization's diversity committee. You have the best... Read More
Micromanagement and Delegation
Micro-Management and Delegation ... Read More
Hows Your Company RQ (Reputation Quotient)?
In light of recent corporate scandals, from Enron and Global... Read More
Plan for Business Success - 6 Reasons to Succession Plan
Succession Planning provides many valuable assets to your business. Yet... Read More
Close the Performance Gap
One of the most difficult and emotionally draining situations you... Read More
Outsourcing Problem Analysis
As an HR professional, you have responsibilities in several broad... Read More
Top Ten Tips for Outstanding Customer Service
Remember the 80:20 rule? You may not get everything perfectly... Read More
The Seven Cs: Partnership Danger Signs - Conflict Becoming the Norm ? Part 1
A series of articles exploring the seven critical areas that... Read More
Are You in AWE of Your Employees?
Employers have become so concerned about seeming "unfair" or worse... Read More
What to Do When Trust is Low
Trust is essential. You can't run a business without it.... Read More
Business Management |