When Personal Candor Doesn’t Fit the Culture

Right after my article “When Silence Isn’t Golden” appeared in The Globe &Mail, I received this e-mail from a reader:

“Hello Jim,

I just wanted to send you a note to let you know how much your article today resonated with me ... you hit it bang-on and helped me resolve something in my professional life.

After a very successful nine years leading a large marketing division in a very large organization, a new vice president came in and within three months showed me the door. I have struggled to come up with a solid and simple reason for why this happened. But I finally realized what really happened when I read your article.

When I was hired, there was a ‘no moose on the table’ culture -- over the past number of years, with a revamp of the organization's leadership structure (starting with the president and the vice presidents) there had been a huge cultural shift. No longer was candor valued or welcomed. Everyone clammed up talking about the tough issues in fear of their jobs and what might happen to them -- the moose was there, everyone knew, but no one did anything about it. Outside of ‘official meetings’ where people all agreed with the boss, people openly expressed their confusion and frustrations about not being heard and not agreeing with where we were headed. The pendulum had shifted and there was a lack of candor.

As this shift happened, I realize that I did not adapt well to it and I could not change the direction of this Titanic organization alone. I continued to be myself, provide candor and ask tough questions. But this was no longer the organization's culture. So I was no longer a fit. Exemplary performance in the past didn't matter. Stifling opinions and agreeing with all the top bosses was the only way to survive.

Reading your article, I was reminded of Jack Welch's (retired GE CEO) emphasis on candor as well. As I'm sure you've read in his books, this is something that he lives by and values almost above all else in any organization.

I can't tell you how satisfying it is to finally realize this and how it will help in my search for new opportunities.

Thank you.”

Joel

What are your experiences dealing with bosses, senior executives, or a culture that shuts down frank conversation and kills candor? How have you dealt with this problem? I’d love to get your thoughts and experiences at Jim.Clemmer@Clemmer.net.

Labour of Love

A few years back I participated in a three-part series for our local CTV affiliate exploring happiness in the workplace.

Labour of Love talks to people who have found happiness in what they do and I contribute my commentary and advice.

Here is the first part of that series (the other parts can be viewed on my YouTube Channel - www.youtube.com/Leaderofchange). I hope you enjoy it.

When Silence Isn’t Golden

The Globe & Mail is Canada’s national newspaper with, the largest business/professional audience in the country. I’ve been writing occasional pieces for The Globe & Mail since 1992. Last month my latest article appeared on the massive problem of silence and lack of candor found in way too many organizations.

Entitled “When Silence Isn’t Golden” this article outlines the problem, offers steps for addressing lack of candor, and provides an expanded and revised quick quiz to see if your organization silently suffers from lack of candor. I've posted it as it appeared on the main site. Click here to read it.

On the net, on the radio and on the TV

It's a really busy month, as I bring my message of improved communications in the workplace to audiences across Canada.

As part of this tour I'm also doing an extensive media-blitz.

When possible I'll be posting audio and video for all to see and hear. Currently you listen to two radio interviews I recently did here.

I've also updated my media page with the schedule for upcoming appearances around the country.
http://www.clemmer.net/media/

So check it out, and keep an eye out for me on the television.

News Bullet

I just want you to know that if you happen to have a Globe and Mail handy today, you'll find an article I wrote on the front page of the Careers section.

Of course if you don't have a Globe, you can also read the article online here:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com

Over the next little while I'll being doing interviews across the country. Whenever possible I'll post them here.

Have a great day!

CFRA's Business @ Night - DELAYED

I just got a note from the Greg Hebert. CFRA's server crashed and my interview is gone. We're trying to re-schedule another one for next week. Sorry! For those in the Ottawa area, this evening I'll be a featured guest on 580 CFRA's Business @ Night with Greg Hebert - where I'll be talking about Moose on the Table Even if you're not in the Ottawa area, you can still listen to it live on the internet. http://www.cfra.com/schedule/info.asp?id=8 The show starts at 7 p.m. EST.

CFRA's Business @ Night

For those in the Ottawa area, this evening I'll be a featured guest on 580 CFRA's Business @ Night with Greg Hebert - where I'll be talking about Moose on the Table

Even if you're not in the Ottawa area, you can still listen to it live on the internet.

http://www.cfra.com/schedule/info.asp?id=8

The show starts at 7 p.m. EST.