Bravado Is How Weenies Hide Indecision
A few weeks ago, I took my family on a short trip up to the North Shore of Lake Superior. Along the way, my 4 year old needed to make an emergency potty break. Much to the chagrin of my wife and I, the rest stop we looked to for salvation was closed. That’s because the entire state of Minnesota’s legislating body–in a show of true statesmanship–decided to collectively take their balls and go home.
In a Harvard Business Review article , Ron Ashkenas argues that our potty problems were due to a growing trend of government and business leaders “playing chicken” with one another. In attempts to show their muscle and prove their guts, these leaders refuse to be pragmatic, which everyone knows is a fantastic way to spur stalemates, finger-pointing, and buck-passing.
Ashkenas is on to something, but I wonder if there isn’t also something else going on. I think he is giving them too much credit. I’m not convinced that testosterone-fueled toughness–the kind that many leaders are proud of–is the root of the problem. I think it’s more cowardice and fear than it is an irrational use of strength.
Bravado or Indecision?
Sometimes holding your ground is indeed a hallmark of strong leaders. But other times it’s just a cover for fear and weakness. If you’re not wild about any of the available options, then it’s pretty scary having to choose one of them, isn’t it? In the face of that fear, drawing a line in the sand and refusing to budge protects you from the discomfort of choosing a less-than-perfect option that you might be held accountable for. After all, you can’t be blamed for a decision that you never make, right?
Wrong. If your indecision -masquerading-as-strength or even “courage” is holding back your team, your family, your state, or my pre-schooler’s bladder, then it you are to blame. In these situations, causing a stalemate by stubbornly holding your ground is more cowardly than it is courageous. That’s especially true when your indecision nearly causes a pre-schooler to pee his pants.
stubborn cowards? that sums up most of the people we’ve elected.
Seems to be the case, doesn’t it?
Right on, Nick. You’ve my vote. Let stubbornness and cowardly behavior rule. Oh, that’s right, it already does.
Sadly, that’s how the incentive system is set up, I’m afraid.