Remember when reality shows were fresh? Back in the day when Survivor was the big Kahuna? Long before Trump started giving people "the Cobra" on The Apprentice, people were getting voted off the island on Survivor..
..and getting voted off the island happens all the time in the workplace...
Think for a couple of seconds and you'll agree you've seen it happen. The typical version of getting voted
off the island is when a manager who's incompetent or has severe conduct issues finally wears out their welcome. Whether it's a lack of competence or crazy (but consistent) misconduct, dissension among that manager's direct reports builds over time, finally erupting into a flurry of employee relations issues across the team. Once someone like you gets involved (you're HR, so you'll get to go in and figure it out), it's generally too late. The natives have spoken, and the situation is irreversible. Whether it's a resignation or termination, the situation can't be overcome by apologies, focus groups or any other solution. The manager's out.
Of course, managers can get voted off the island by their team for just being around too long. Abrasive styles and ego-driven managers with lots of talent can simply wear out their welcome. It's not about competence or misconduct in these cases, it's about shelf life and staying past your expiration date.
Want a real life example of getting voted off the island because the natives are tired of your act? Look no further than NFL coaches, where Brian Billick of the Baltimore Ravens has lost control of his team. Billick has been a historic success in Baltimore, racking up wins, a Super Bowl Title and a 13-3 record a year ago. Pretty good track record.
But he's got an ego that rubs lots of players the wrong way. Towards the end of the the 12/3 Monday night game against the Patriots, the Ravens defense made a huge 4th down stop to win the game - only to find out the coaching staff had called time out before the ball was snapped. Their reaction? To pull off their helmets and start pointing and screaming at Billick, who remained stoic and had to be thinking to himself, "I need to get out of this job before these people run me out of here involuntarily".
Of course, unlike the workplace manager who finds himself still in rotation long after his personal expiration date, Billick has something that might save him from be voted off the team - a 3 year contract.
Which can lead to arrogance and even more dysfunction in the workplace - even if that workplace is the NFL. Check out the video below of Billick blowing a kiss on Monday night to an opposing player who dared to attempt to show him up on national TV... If you don't like the direct reports ripping off their helmets and screaming at you, it's probably a good idea to try and set an example and not taunt the opposition. Just a thought...
Stay classy, Baltimore....
Come on. Rodney Harrison was BEGGING for it.
Posted by: Seth Borden | December 11, 2007 at 09:58 AM