|
|
|
Jewish World Review Feb. 21, 2011 / 17 Adar I, 5771 Leases and Landing Gear By Alan Douglas
http://www.JewishWorldReview.com |
We can simplify this concept a bit. When you move out of your apartment early and want to find another tenant to take over the rest of the term of your lease, you either sublet or assign your lease to the landlord. Under a "sublease", all of your rights and responsibilities under the lease go to the new tenant), BUT they all flow though you. So if the new tenant who sublet from you does something wrong, the landlord can go after you. If the new tenant wants to sue the landlord the new tenant only has the rights you held. Under an "assignment" with a release it is different. The landlord and the new tenant deal with each other and you walk off into the sunset, without a care in the world. The point I want to make is that when you take on a task, which is an obligation or duty in business or personal life, short of an express release, it will be your responsibility when something goes wrong. It does not matter if it is your fault or someone else's fault. It is still your responsibility, and your fault. You can delegate, command, assign, agree, instruct, or order, someone else to do something. You can give them all the training, rules, support, tools and authority to do it; but the responsibility is still yours. And responsibility means liability.
The single most important rule for success, former New York City Mayor Guillani said was given to him by his boss, who cautioned him that prior to each trial it wasn't good enough to prepare; you always had to over prepare. You had to plan out everything you were going to say and then think of how the other side would refute your points. And then, you had to be ready to defend what you said. Plus, you had to prepare to refute everything the opposition might say even if it wasn't true or correct. Enthusiasm isn't enough. A good attitude or great technology will not substitute for preparation. To really succeed you must be ready not only to talk, but also to handle problems, questions or objections.
And what happens when you encounter a problem you didn't think of and didn't prepare for? On September 11, 2001 terrorist attacked the City of New York, closing off parts of the city and shutting down communications and transportation. New York had never conducted emergency preparedness for two airplanes piloted by terrorists crashing into and destroying buildings. But the City of New York had prepared emergency plans for other disasters; a building collapse, airplane crashes, bombings and for communications failures. They were able to adapt each of these individual disaster plans and coordinate them to cope with the actual crisis. Through 'relentless preparation" the City was in a position to deal with the unexpected; otherwise they would not have been able to restore the essential services, get the New York Stock Exchange back up and running in three days and act as quickly as they did. When you have a responsibility, make it a practice to prepare. Over prepare for what you can think of, and you will be better prepared to deal with the unexpected.
President Ronald Reagan was asked how there could ever be any peace on earth and an end to the Cold War if he was not willing to trust the Russians. Reagan responded that he wouldn't hesitate to trust the Russians, as long as there was also verification. Before you pick up the phone to buy something, offer to host a bachelor party, or take responsibility for a project, how "over prepared" are you? Being prepared includes verifying what is true.
It is inevitable that when we place our trust in our friends and colleagues, that intentionally, or not, they cause us injury. They may forget to pick up the dry cleaning or miss critical deadlines. They thought they secured the airplane's landing gear. But no matter how innocent or negligent their mistake might be, it often becomes our own. Ships sink at sea because of mistakes by one sailor. But it is the Captain who is responsible for the training, direction, and supervision of the ship. "The enemy is anybody who's going to get you killed, no matter which side he is on," warned Joseph Heller in his book, "Catch 22." Your friends, subcontractors, executives can "get you killed."
It isn't about trust or feelings of self-esteem. Freedom and creativity should be nurtured but a good checklist makes sure the land gear is down and ready for landing. If you are in charge, or say you will do something, then you are responsible. You can delegate the authority to someone else, but the responsibility stays with you. Your career, integrity, and safety, all demand that you over prepare yourself when you are in charge. It is a good lesson to learn and to teach others.
Every weekday JewishWorldReview.com publishes what many in in the media and Washington consider "must-reading". Sign up for the daily JWR update. It's free. Just click here.
Comment by clicking here.
JWR contributor Alan Douglas, an author, media executive, speaker, and attorney, lives con brio- except when he is grumpy.
The Oscars, Obama and Job Creation
© 2010 Alan Douglas
|
Arnold Ahlert | |||||||||||||
