I’m not certain of the derivation of the famous “ox is being gored” quote, but it can help explain why leaders often times move at a faster pace than the work force in the implementation of corporate change.
A good leader rapidly communicates corporate changes to the work force. New hires, new equipment, new policies or new directions, the leader comes to the front and communicates the new information as rapidly as he can because when he doesn’t he knows from experience that it will be his ox that is gored. I once hired a new employee, smiled as I placed a warm and welcoming hand on their shoulder and vigorously shook their hand, walked out of the meeting, down the hall and into another meeting, and enthusiastically announced the new hire, only to hear, “I didn’t know we hired him.”
So we teach our leaders, with cattle prod like instruments, that the troops want the information sooner rather then later. And so leaders have been appropriately known to get out ahead of the curve and announce a new hire that perhaps hasn’t had time to communicate their decision to their family. And so it goes. No one said leading was easy. Some days all you can do is smile and know that you are trying to do your best. But if that is the worst problem you have during a given week, life is good.
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