I was thrilled to be asked some really tough questions that we not easy to answer.  What encourages me even more, is that they were tough to ask.

This morning we held a series of meetings where I met with every employee in groups of about 30.  We hold these meetings every month where we review key metrics and discuss major company developments.  This month we were discussing strategic updates.  I hit an organizational weakness head on, sharing my plan to flip this from a weakness to a strength.  I also spoke at length about how we are working to gain efficiencies through strategic use of automation in certain processes.  This is where the tough questions come in.  I was very encouraged that employees asked me probing questions about what will happen to employees working in those jobs.  Will they be let go or remain?  If the job gets easier will we lower their wage earning potential?  I was happy to have answers reassuring them that these efficiencies are investments in the future that allow us to place employees in other positions, contributing in new ways to our growing success, with absolutely no plan and no hope whatsoever to see them leave the company.  So while these can be uncomfortable questions to answer, I think they are incredibly uncomfortable questions to ask.  I love the fact that my team feels comfortable enough with me to throw it out there.  This is much preferred to them not asking and fearing the worst or the rumor mill answering these questions that should be mine to face.

I sincerely believe in transparency.  The strategic moves we make are for the good of the company and the company is made up of the people in it, so employees deserve answers for why we have chosen these particular strategic objectives.  They also deserve answers for how they fit in, how they contribute to their success and what impact it may have on their job.

During one question, there may have even been an impression of me.  Her voice noticeably changed when asking her question.  She said “When you say things like…” and asked her question; it was definitely lower, a little robotic and sounded like something I would say.  Really a pretty good impression. I loved it!