Confronting Your CEO

In the last post, we were discussing fierce conversations, especially those upward from your reports. The main idea was to be approachable, listen, treat it as a gift, and not overreact.

What happens though when it's YOU who believes he must push back upward, and it's your CEO? In this post, we will examine some sound and saving principles that should keep you on solid ground as you do. Here is a simple list of SOME principles that may help.

1) Keep in mind that most all leaders care & want to do the right thing. They may be decisive, incisive, and even somewhat intimidating (if old school or insecure), but they're human. If you believe differently, you may have other avenues to pursue.

2) Ask yourself what she could be going through personally (family, illness, etc.) that may be changing her behavior or judgement. This may help you know how to approach her in assisting/understanding rather than confronting.

3) There is strength in numbers, be sure to check with peers to see if your concerns seem well founded to them. Be kind and non-judgemental when you do so. You need to be able to recover if you are wrong. If your analysis is supported, you will have others to help you work through it.

4) When you are actually having the "fierce conversation", use phrases like, "Here's what I see" rather than "Here's where I think you made a mistake" Be even tempered, remove the emotion, and be objective; use examples.

5) Do not get "killed" over this task. Only in matters of life, death, and ethics would losing your job be justified. Remember the adage, HOW you do it is much more important than WHAT the criticism is.

6) No action on your part is most likely not an option. More damage can be done when we expect things to change without facilitating it.

When completing the task, you may very well find that the problem can be handled and outcomes changed. You may also find that you have a new and better, more open relationship with your CEO. When you journey through a crisis with someone who cares, the relationship grows.

Who knows what great outcomes will develop when one takes a courageous stand?