Sometimes You Just Have to Suck it Up!

This isn’t a lecture. It’s about the way it is – and sometimes the way it is sucks.  Unless you’re in one of those rare orgs that operates under the collective model, you have an ED and a Board of Directors.  Oftentimes, there are even a few others in the mix: manager, director, VP. Bottom line? The ED is your ultimate boss and the ED’s boss is the board. 

So, what does that mean? It means that sometimes we all have to do things we don’t agree with because the ED or the board ‘said so.’  My advice, pick your battles and arm yourself well if you’re going to fight one.

I once worked with an organization that was doing something a little shady – running some expenses for its for-profit company through its non-profit arm which resulted in sales-tax savings.  No, it wasn’t THAT big of a deal and I don’t believe there was ever any malicious intent, but I hold myself and my work to the utmost ethical and legal standards.  Bottom line, I said ‘fix it, or I’m gone.’ I didn’t waiver.  I wanted things changed immediately.  Ready for the end of the story? I quit!  Of course, there were other issues at hand, but I did leave. 

So what do you do when it’s not an issue with the law or your conscience?  Think first.  Seriously, save up for the battles that really matter.  And when you decide you’re faced with one, follow these steps:

• do your homework – do you really know the whole scope, or just part of the story? If you’re going to battle, you damn well better know the story inside and out.

• prepare alternatives – do NOT go to your ED and say ‘I disagree, we shouldn’t do it’ and leave it at that. You’d better have a good reason and reasonable alternatives that help solve the problem at hand.

• leave your ego at the door – it’s not about you. Seriously, it is NOT about you.

• know when to backdown – you aren’t going to win all the battles. And please backdown gracefully; nobody wants to see you cry or slam doors.

• never go straight to the board (unless it is a legal issue). Your boss is the ED. There is chain of command. To undermine that hierarchy, shows how little faith and trust you have in the ED. If you don’t have that, then you don’t belong in the organization.