February 6; Is The Manager Always Right?
MANAGEMENT BY THE BOOK:
365 Daily Bible Verse &
One-Minute Management Lessons For The Busy Faithful

6 February

Do not judge,

or you too will be judged.

Matthew 7:1

Judgmental

The Platoon Sergeant went the wrong way. (This was unusual because it was usually me who had the map upside down.) I had given him clear directions on the direction to go.

I was his Lieutenant. I was his superior officer. I was the expert. But actually, I knew nothing….

…like most new managers.

I wanted to use strong language and a one-on-one counseling session (this is where veteran stands at attention and says “Yes Sir” to a newby 15 years his junior. And tries not to laugh).

We all are guilty of making this error. Our first inclination is to correct faults first and notice others’ virtues later if ever. This is only normal human nature. But managers must learn to be, well, less human.

If he did exactly as I had ordered – vicious compliance – my boss would be yelling at me. But I did know enough to ask my Sergeant, “Why did you do what you did?”

He explained. Extenuating circumstances prompted a change in direction. He was not really disobedient. He was protecting me. He was right. This would happen a lot.

Luckily for me.

Before you, the manager, get mad, get data. Get the “why” something was done.

This understanding will allow the manager to still be a judge without appearing to be judgmental.

This is the attitude of the mature manager.

The manager must still act as a judge as he does the ‘control’ part of management along with ‘plan, organize and lead.’ The boss will still evaluate the subordinate’s performance against a pre-determined standard in the plan.

But without a ‘judgmental’ attitude.

Matthew 7:1 commands, Do not judge, or you too will be judged.

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