Unusual Attitudes and Leadership

A bad boss is like a disease of the soul (Chetan Bhagat).

Unusual Attitudes

Dad was a pilot. As a child and into my late teens, I flew with him every chance I had. Each of us four kids had our log books where he would write down how much we had flown with him. Unfortunately, just after my 18th birthday, Dad died of cancer, and since that time, I have dreamed of getting my PPL (Private Pilot's License). It has taken me almost 37 years, but I'm closer than I've ever been! Recently, as my instructor and I cruised along at 5,300 feet above the ground, he told me to put my head down and close my eyes. Ummmm, sure ... not weird at all. So, I did, and after a few seconds, he said, "Recover the airplane!" When I opened my eyes and raised my head, I saw the nose pitched high, one wing slung low, the dials spinning like crazy, and the engine straining! I almost had a heart attack right then. My "beloved" instructor had placed me in an Unusual Attitude (a position not intended for normal operations), and my job was to recover the airplane back to normal and to do so quickly! The purpose of this exercise is to rely on the instruments to come back to normal operations.

"Unusual attitudes" are not found in airplanes alone. Unusual attitudes can be a leadership problem, as well. And the leader who does not recognize that he has put his team in this unusual attitude (see When Leaders are Left to the Dogs!) will find herself in dire straits indeed, as abnormal operations can only be sustained for so long before things begin coming apart. This applies to airplanes AND to humans!

Recovery

Should a leader find himself and his team in an unusual attitude, she could possibly ... perhaps ... maybe ... recover with these five Rs, bringing life back into the team and fostering connection.

👉 Recognize the signs of an unusual attitude and his need for accountability;

• Does the team bring problems or issues to the leader?

• Is more than minimum effort put forth?

• Are you included in water jug conversations, inside jokes, and the like?

• Who is allowed to speak truth into your life?

👉 Repent of self-centeredness;

• Is the leader focused on the betterment of self solely or the betterment of the team?

👉 Respect and value each member of the team;

• Is each member treated fairly (not necessarily equally)?

• Are some members given extra scrutiny unfairly and others are not?

• Is each member given opportunities to grow, promote, etc.?

• Is each member held accountable to the same standard?

👉 Receive feedback gratefully, intentionally, and persistently;

• Is received feedback acted upon?

• Can feedback be given without fear of retaliation?

👉 Restart relationships through listening and vulnerability.

• Are you able to be naked (metaphorically!) before your team?

• Are you listening to hear, listening to check a box, or listening to promote your own agenda?

End Result

The bottom line is that unusual attitudes can only have two results:

1. They are dealt with quickly and accurately and the journey continues to its intended destination.

   

2. They are allowed to continue and the journey has an unfortunate end.

   
   

   

If your team is experiencing an unusual attitude, which do you choose?