Devoted to Managers and those that seek to improve their management skills

You've Got to be Objective

A business leader got in a lot of trouble some years ago in the company he lead. Buffett was asked what he thought about what happended, and he had a lot of good things to say about him. He said he was a great person, a World War II verteran and worked tirelessly to promote the company.

What was the problem then? This particular leader couldn't take any criticism about the company. Huge resentment literally built up in him if someone said the company was anything less than perfect. Buffett believed this is what tied into the problems he was experiencing.

Buffett went on to say about him, "To him accusing [his company] of any wrongdoing was like calling his daughter ugly, he couldn't be objective about it."

What this particular leader did was tie who he was specifically into the company; the two had become one. Isn't that normal you may ask? Isn't it good for the company to mean that to you? Isn't it an advantage?

In my estimation it is. And the answers to those questions are - yes! So why did this become such a problem then? Think about if for a second. You and the company are one in purpose and vision; it's become an extension of you. Then somebody brings some criticism about it to you. Your response will of course at first be defensive.

So what happened here? Look at what Buffett said, it wasn't just the criticism that was the issue, it was the consequence of criticism which he considered outrageous; the company wasn't perfect.

The problem was because he identified the company and himself as one, in essence he was saying that he was beyond being criticized, he ran the company perfectly. It was a personal assault on him, in his estimation, and he couldn't receive that.

While we can completely identify with the company we serve, to consider ourselves beyond constructive criticism because we think things in the company - and thus ourselves - perfect, there is no room for anything to be brought up that can adjust or temper whatever is happening in the company.

If we can't stand back and objectively look at things within our company or division, and receive legititmate insight into areas that need to change, we are setting ourselves and the company up for huge failure.

We can't get so personally attached to a company that we can no longer consider it imperfect, and by extension, feel the same about ourselves. That's one-way ticket to nowhere.

Not only is it a huge character flaw, but it locks out all sorts of opportunity for company improvement and growth. After all, how can you improve upon perfection, if that's what is really believed?

Other Buffett Resources:

Company growth

“Everybody Else is Doing it”

MSU students have special visit with billionaire Warren Buffett

WARREN BUFFETT PHILOSOPHY II

Sticking to what you know  Core businesses

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