Ducks in a Row: Whose Do You Shovel?
by Miki Saxon
Decades ago I asked a client who had a reputation for being a great boss what was the worst part of his job.
I’ve never forgotten his response.
“That’s easy. I don’t mind shoveling my own, but I hate having to shovel somebody else’s.”
Not only was he correct, but I’ve never met anyone, boss or not, who didn’t agree with the statement.
Shoveling someone else’s often happens when an iffy/bad boss/person leaves and the new boss/person finds their first X weeks spent cleaning up the mess.
It’s not unexpected.
When the culture is the mess there is not only more to shovel, but far more damage to correct—damaged morale, damaged group reputation and, worst of all, damaged people.
Damaged through no fault of their own.
So if you find yourself shoveling someone else’s be sure to look for the buried people as you do it.
They are often the true gems your predecessor was too blind to see.
Flickr image credit: Tambako The Jaguar
