Leadership Types
The Compromiser

Another one of the leadership types is the Compromiser.

Finally, the Compromiser typically gives in to the highest authority or the path with the most resistance.

That sacrifice can come in many different ways.

It could mean that they sacrifice their principals!

As an example, if the manager makes a statement at a staff meeting that the employees will receive XYZ benefit, if they accomplish XYZ goal. Then later on that year the employees accomplish XYZ goal. The manager celebrates their success and promises to deliver on his earlier statement.

The manager approaches his supervisor and informs him that his staff made their goal and would like to receive the benefit promised. The supervisor tells the manager that in order to receive the benefit now, the employees must achieve a higher goal. The supervisor finishes the conversation with the manager by saying, "After all if I give them this benefit I will not receive my bonus."

Without any further discussion the manager carries this news back to his staff. They of course are not happy at all.

This is just one type of compromise.

Don't get me wrong, someone that is willing to compromise is not a bad thing. However, I am talking about the type of leader that always compromises at the expense of his staff.

In the example situation above, the manager that really represents what a leader is would have stood his ground and challenged his supervisor. Especially when the supervisor was acting in a selfish way!

A leader must be able to challenge his superiors in a professional way. Not cower to down to them. Stand up for what is right. Their reputation depends on it!

The damage that would be done on a situation like the example above would last for years to come. Every time that manager made a statement or promise again, it would be disregarded.

This would be the case even if the manager had a good track record prior to this.

The other type of situation that often occurs in the workforce by the type of manager that compromises is like the below example.

The manager has an employee that happens to also be a friend of the family. The employee is an average employee. One day the employee shows up for work one hour late. The company has a policy that states anyone reporting for work more than six minutes late is considered tardy.

The manager after speaking with his spouse decides to do nothing.

Two days later, the employee shows up late again by forty-five minutes. Again the manager does nothing after speaking with his spouse.

The following day a different employee shows up late by fourteen minutes and the manager immediately takes action.

How do you suppose this will end?

Will the manager be well respected? Of course not!

You can change the above situation and replace it with almost anything. This happens all the time where the manager compromises their values or the company policy in order to achieve their goals.

This type of compromise can end up costing the company a lot.

Good leadership skills will eliminate this possibility.

Set clear expectations and you must follow through.

Say what you mean, and mean what you say!

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Thank you and May God Bless You!