By Ron Schmidt
“I’ve got your back!” is a common expression used by teammates in a variety of sports.
It’s often shouted in defensive situations where a safety in football might say this to the cornerback. But it applies also on offense when the blocking back will exhort this to his quarterback. Or in baseball, l the third base coach will shout out to his runner on second saying, “I’ll watch for the second baseman coming over in a pickoff play.” The expression translates to protection – how we back each other and how we all succeed together.
There’s No “I” in Team
Many companies view their organizations as a team, following the order of practice, hard work and execution which translates to success. But some “teams” breakdown when it comes to “I’ve got your back.” Remembering the financial crisis, what often played out was an interest in protecting an individual, not the team. And one of the critical messages that came out of the crisis was the idea of “managing-up” to look good to the CEO while the ship was taking on water; just one of the reasons why we have fewer financial institutions today.
So what if you’re in a “pickle” (a rundown in baseball) and your superior is managing-up to protect his and or herself? You’ve taken care of the member but internal politics leaves you with your back exposed, what do you do?
Know When To Stand Up
Let’s reflect on Jim Blaine of State Employees’ wisdom in his interview with CUToday.info here and here prior to his retirement.
“When I talk to our new employees I always ask an important question. I ask that if we got in a disagreement and at the end of the conversation I told them to do what I said or leave, would they do something they disagree with? If people tell me that I am the boss, who has more experience and that they would do what I said, I tell them that is the wrong answer. I tell them if they ever do that I will fire them. People need to stand up for what they believe in. If you think you are right you tell the truth and take the consequences. I let them know that the message from the organization is that they will always be asked to do the right thing for the member. That is the primary rule here. And, if they are ever asked by a manager they work for to do something they disagree with, they know they can call me. I believe those conversations have helped our organization through a lot of difficult situations.”
The Courage To...Stand Up
He goes on, “I continually see and listen to people who do not stand up, step in, when they should. If you see a car wreck do you rush to help or do you walk away? If there are economic troubles within your membership do you rush to foreclose on a mortgage, or do you try to help? It is a matter of attitude. But I have seen a lot of people, for whatever reason, not have the courage to stand up and say what is true because there may be consequences. But to me they are denying their humanity if they don’t stand up…what a horrible way to end up in life.”
So how are you feeling about your team? How’s your protection and how are you helping those on your team succeed? Do you feel outside of the huddle sometimes? Are employees being supported in their efforts to serve the members? Or are some only protecting themselves? If you feel backed into a corner, do you have a Jim Blaine who’s got your back?
Ron Schmidt is with CBS Certified Public Accountants, LLC, Solon, Ohio. He can be reached at rschmidt@cbscpasllc.com.