Welcome back to the Look and Sound of Leadership, an ongoing series of

executive coaching tips designed to help you be perceived in the workplace the

way you want to be perceived.

I'm Tom Henschel, your executive coach,

and today we're talking about managing performance up or out? Russell was a very, very nice guy. Everyone agreed about that. Of course,

very nice guy was code for conflict a verse. Russell was a great mediator

and facilitator, but he wasn't always decisive, especially when it came to managing his people.

As a vice president at a global entertainment company, his direct reports were, for the most

part, high-functioning junior executives who did a respectable job

running their own teams except for Matt. His team is upset with him said Russell

my team is upset with him heck I am upset with him, said Russell. My team is upset with him.

Heck, I am upset with him.

Even Glenn is upset with him, he said referring to the division president.

Matt is completely out of alignment with everyone else and he thinks we are the problem.

Maybe he's the one who should be getting coaching.

I asked how long have you known he's a problem?

Russell looked down at his lap.

Years.

Wow, I said.

I'm surprised there hasn't been a revolt against you for letting it go on for so long.

He smiled and said, well, I was given a coach.

I asked what he had been saying to Matt all these years.

...