As leaders and managers we are often thrown into situations that require us to think on our feet and make quick off-the-cuff decision. Often times these moments require a decision that can be driven from a negative emotion. Decisions that are emotionally based, rather than logically based, often end in poorer results, and ineffective leadership (I know, not always). I thought of this idea of scripting, when I was thinking about my Personal Success Plan for 2012. I was originally thinking of a health goal related to food intake, since I travel a lot. It is not always easy to make the best decisions when eating out. I thought about printing a small card and keeping it in my wallet with answers to food related decisions. Had I done it it would have looked something like this:
- Corn Tortillas, Not Flour Tortillas
- Grilled Chicken, Not Fried Chicken
- Water, Not Soda
- Brown Rice, Not White Rice
- Wheat, Not White
- Granola Bar, Not a Candy Bar
- Dessert, NO!
The idea with this was that by reading this often, I would make a decision in my head logically, before I needed to make it emotionally. Later, when required to make the emotional decision; such when I was tired, stressed, and hungry, the decision would be made for me because I had already decided what I truly wanted and needed to eat.
Effective Leadership Through Scripting
With any type of training, you practice, practice, and practice, until the desired action and decisions are second nature. This technique is also common in conditioning a sales person to be able to counter resistance. So with that logic, I wondered how I could apply this concept to create effective leadership. Several days later, after a “situation”… I found myself sitting down and thinking, “What just happened?” Well, I had made an emotional decision, contrary to what I knew I should have done.
Since it was emotional, I knew I could have scripted the decision beforehand, then when I found myself in the heat of the moment, I would already know what to say. Here are some thoughts of scripting in leadership and management situations.
- “I would like to think this over for a little bit,” instead of, “We need to have a meeting right now to discuss this.”
- “I have some time at _____,” instead of, letting someone interrupt a project or task you are working on.
- “Our low cash-flow and company policy do not permit us to give employee loans at this time, but if you like I can give you the contact information to a financial advisor,” instead of, “Well, I guess this time we could make an exception and loan you $500 for ________.”
- “Our company policy does not allow me to give you a raise, but our performance based compensation plans will allow you to earn more money by ________________, let’s talk about how you can do that,” instead of, “No.”
Getting Started With Scripting Your Way To Effective Leadership
Schedule an hour now to think about the poor or emotional decisions that have compromised your effective leadership or management decisions. Write down what you should say and what you should not say for various scenarios that you find yourself in. Refer to that document occasionally, and add to it as needed. Later, subtract the decisions that become second nature, or in other words, that you master.
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So, now that you’ve read this article, how are you going to use this information to bring effective leadership to your life or your organization? What scripting ideas do you have to create effective leadership?
Please take a moment and share your ideas in the comments section below, share this with your social media friends, and subscribe to receive A Slice of Leadership notices, as well as occasional leadership advice, articles, tips and freebies.
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About Todd Nielsen
Great post. Although I never thought of it as scripting, I’ve given some of my clients similar advice. I help them think of common situations that they frequently face and brainstorm possible responses in advance. It works.
For people who have trouble saying “no,” I suggest saying something like “I’d like to think that over. Can I get back to you tomorrow?” If pressed for an immediate answer, their fallback response becomes, “In that case I’m afraid I’ll have to say ‘No”.”
Todd, I’ve also posted the following on LinkedIn•
I’ve just read the article on scripting for leaders. It’s an interesting idea, and I do not (indeed, cannot) refute the author’s experience, and I do not doubt that some would find scripting helpful.
If we make emotional decision, contrary to what we knew we should have done, either we know what we SHOULD have done BEFORE making the decision, but our emotional state (heart and gut) momentarily obliterated intellect and knowledge (head).
If we only realised what we should have done AFTER an emotionally driven decision, then we would have been inadequately prepared for the situation e.g. lacking perhaps in the self-awareness required for self-management, which would inhibit awareness of others, and impair effective communication i.e. prerequisites of Emotional Intelligence.
The idea of ‘scripting’ seems counterintuitive because, to me, rehearsing ‘appropriate’ responses sounds like planning against spontaneity. And following a set script somehow doesn’t tally with leadership.
Most of all, though, as an antidote to [inappropriate] emotionally driven decisions, I think scripting would, at best, be a symptomatic solution. It might seem, might actually BE better, but symtomatic solutions, as you probably know, have side effects that can delay finding fundamental solutions.
IF the ‘fundamental’ problem is an emotional undertow that’s perpetuated and maybe exacerbated by limiting beliefs and bed rock assumptions, the [would-be] leader would be better served by increasing Emotional Intelligence, perhaps through coaching.
Any of us might be so awash with emotions that we cannot think clearly or rationally, as a result of which we might indulge either in blaming ourselves, which isn’t conducive to good leadership, or – worse – abnegate responsibility for our emotional incontinence by blaming others, which is not good for our ‘followers’.
Go well
Todd, thanks for being a leader. I watch your blog religously and often pass along your posts to my colleagues. You are an inspiration to us all. Thanks for doing what you do.
Stuart Crawford
Ulistic Inc.
Toronto, ON
MSP Coach, Business Development
Thanks Stuart, I really appreciate the compliment. You have a wonderful week and please stay in touch.