In Leadership – rip it off. Or as Barney Fife would say – Nip it in the bud!
One of the hardest parts of leadership is doing what you already know needs to be done.
Sometimes that means having a difficult conversation. Other times it means making a tough decision. Neither is fun, but delaying either usually makes things worse.
I think of it like ripping off a Band-Aid.
You can pull it off slowly, prolonging the pain, or you can rip it off quickly and get it over with.
I’ve learned the same principle applies to leadership.
When you need to have a hard conversation, get to the hard part quickly.
Don’t spend the first ten minutes filling the conversation with niceties, hoping to soften the blow. People can usually sense something difficult is coming anyway.
Be kind. Be respectful. But be direct.
Say what needs to be said. Then spend the rest of the conversation helping the person process what’s been said and determining what comes next.
The same is true with difficult decisions.
Certainly, gather the facts. Seek wise counsel. Consider the consequences. Pray about it.
But once you know the right decision, make it.
Don’t keep debating what you’ve already decided. Don’t keep putting it off because you’re afraid of someone’s reaction or hoping the situation will somehow resolve itself.
Delaying the inevitable rarely makes it easier. Often, it only increases the pain for everyone involved.
There is a difference between being patient and being unwilling to do hard things.
Putting off these hard moments only complicates the situation and delays the better days ahead. Good leaders aren’t careless with people or decisions. But neither do they allow their discomfort to keep them from doing what’s right.
Leadership is hard. Some conversations will hurt. Some decisions won’t be popular. But prolonging the pain doesn’t make you a more compassionate leader.
Sometimes the kindest and wisest thing you can do is simply rip off the Band-Aid.
