Why “My Way or the Highway” Works
9 Aug 2016
As the boss, you know exactly how you want your team to carry out specific tasks. But it’s not politic to take the “My Way or the Highway” approach. According to Graham, however, it’s still a good way to run a business.
“it is often seen as an overly aggressive or negative management technique. But it works. And it doesn’t have to be negative or aggressive. You can get your way without having to show anyone the highway.”
You can read more about how Graham thinks you can run your business your way without being an evil boss in the latest issue of Business Intelligence.
Why the “My Way or the the Highway” Approach Works
When you’re the boss and the buck stops with you, it’s unsurprising that you’ve got some very clear ideas about how your business should be run. This vision will involve the big goals, the long term plan of how to achieve them, and even the little tasks that make up the long term plan. You know exactly how you want each step of your vision to be executed – nothing wrong with that.
That approach, the idea that the people in your company should do things as you’ve envisaged them, is known as “My Way or the Highway” and is often seen as an overly aggressive or even negative management technique.
But it works. And it doesn’t have to be negative or aggressive. You can get your way without having to show anyone the highway. If everyone knows your plan, they’re all focused on the same goal. When people know the process they’re supposed to be using and stick to it, all work is carried out consistently and to the high standard you (and your customers) expect.
So how do you make sure your plan is clearly communicated and your processes are unmistakably outlined without coming across as a tyrant? Two simple things: Communication and Collaboration.
1. Communication.
I’ve personally found that sitting down regularly with my department heads (and larger groups in more occasional meetings) to explain my general plan and vision for OpenCRM gives them an insight into how
their roles and projects fit into these bigger goals.
They can then pass on the relevant information to their teams, informing everyone that what they’re doing fits into a bigger journey.
When people know that they’re working to a plan, rather than just plodding along, they’re much more likely to view their own part of that process in a positive way. Especially if the tasks they’re doing have been engineered in a way that is productive in terms of the overall plan and practical for their day-to-day job…and that’s where the second step comes in.
2. Collaboration.
In order to achieve the various goals you have for your company, you will undoubtedly have a clear idea of how the individual steps should be carried out by your team.
When I have a new process I’d like to introduce, the first thing I do is document my thoughts as clearly as possible. I then liaise with my team leaders to ensure that they agree with this process I’ve set out.
Sound odd for a “My Way or the Highway” approach? Yes. But after all, they are the ones on the ground and will be expected to sense check and deliver the objectives.
If they do find one (or more) issues with my logic, revising my process plan doesn’t change the fact that the job will get done the way I want it to, it means that it can now proceed in a more practical and informed way.
But what if someone doesn’t like your plan at all?
There is always the possibility that someone will entirely disagree with my plan, either for the company or the process. This is where the “My Way or the Highway” approach can take an ugly turn if you’re not careful.
I personally have found that taking the time to listen to their concerns and opinions about my vision does wonders. If two people are able to discuss their disagreement, one can either persuade each other to their own opinion or at least make it clear that the other person’s voice has been heard.
In the past, when I’ve had an employee who strongly disagrees with my vision for the company, once they know that their opinion has been heard and potentially hear further details behind my reasoning, they’re far more likely to go along with my plan.
They know that “My Way” isn’t about being tyrannical, it’s about having a focused vision for the company. They also know that I’m not so precious about my vision that I can’t hear other opinions about it, I am always open-minded when I hear a good idea.
The “My Way or the Highway” approach works because it gives your company clear direction and method, but that only works if both the plan and the participants are well informed.
This article is also available in the latest issues of Business Edge, Business Scotland, Norfolk Voice, and Business Direction.
