Be Careful What You Ask For

Then God said . . . and that is what happened. Genesis 1:6-7

The president of a rapidly growing company was concerned with a perception that members of his executive team spent more time on the road than with their families. At a staff meeting attended by the accounting manager, he suggested that no one should leave town more than once a month.

The president intended this comment as a guideline rather than an edict, but the accounting manager took his words at face value (as she should have done) and refused to honor expense vouchers for excessive travel until another meeting was held to explain what the boss really meant.

Leaders are in a position to bring about change just by stating a desire for something. Be careful of what you say outside the protection of your office. Plenty of shocked CEOs have learned that an offhand comment made in an elevator has become woven into the fabric of their companies’ new policy manuals.

Be careful what you ask for—people really are listening.