Senior executives are frequently disconnected with reality. The most toxic manifestation of this disconnection is a phenomenon called “Management by Playing Chicken”: it causes company demises and also career derailments.
The big shot is under duress, he examines the options and sees a way out. It’s a long shot and requires that everything works out perfectly. If works, he will not only avert crisis, but emerge as the hero that saves the day. He gathers his staff, lays down the plan, and looks around the room for discussion. The game of chicken begins.
No one on the table thinks it will work. Worse, it will divert critical resources and destroy the whole company. But everyone sees the fire in boss’s eyes. Dare they speak their minds, they will be shown the doors. There are no shortage of ambitious young studs to fill their vacancies. Everyone signs on, the big boss is pleased. “Go execute!” he bellows.
Two weeks later, everyone is in trouble. No only they couldn’t keep up with the unrealistic schedule, they are also behind with their regular duties. But, on the dashboard, everyone reports the status on track. “Yes-siree. I don’t know about everyone else’s status, but my part is moving along just fine. In fact, I made some heroic sacrifices and pulled all stops to make sure so.” The second round of the game of chicken is in play. If anyone admits a delay, the over-all schedule will slip, then everyone else catches the break and may catch up. The one who admits the delay, however, will bear the responsibility of failing the whole project.
The game plays to the total destruction if no one blinks. The integration day comes and nothing works. Some heads roll, task force formed to rescue the program, more funds pour in, more delays, and more heads roll. Eventually, it does not matter anymore, since there is no more resources left in the company. The winner of the game stands lonely on a hollow stand with no award.
What to do? Is there any hope out of this? Of course!
First, review the objective from the perspective of the big boss. Are there alternatives to win, but less risky? Are there elements that just make the final win less glorious, but a win never-the-less? It is important to corral the team to examine these. Team communication will be the only way to come out of this game alive.
If not, have the team together and make a compact to push. Everyone should be on this boat together. There will be pessimistic and fatalistic members, persuade them to go along and pull their weights. Designate one person to be the communicator to keep everyone, including the big boss, on the same page. Understand that the journey is no less important than the destination.
Remember, the big boss is usually as smart as, if not more than, everyone. There was a good reason to go this way. Try to understand that reason. The world reward risk takers, but not those with poor execution skills.