Construction Law
Overcoming Unpopular Decisions for the Greater Good
Let’s face it, nobody wants to be the final decision maker when the only options are divisive in nature. Communicating an unpopular idea while mitigating negative responses is an important skill for those in leadership roles. It’s an absolute necessity for contractors, who are often tasked with making tough calls on a day-to-day basis. The decisions you make could affect your workers’ livelihoods, contractor-owner relationships, and project success. It’s hard to make everyone happy, but you can overcome this hurdle by following the tips in this article. Next time you’re forced to make a tough call that could result in a dispute with an owner, consult a Miami construction lawyer from Cotney Attorneys & Consultants.
Get to the Point
Dragging your feet won’t help you reduce the blowback of an unpopular decision. Don’t wait to share your decision with others. Transparency is key to a smooth project, so you want to disseminate the news in a timely manner. The longer you wait to reveal your decision, the more time you allow for uncertainty to fester and create dissenting opinions about your quality of leadership. What you can’t risk is gossip turning your workers into an angry mob of disgruntled employees. When bad news strikes, make it public and move on.
Practice Empathy
The empathetic business owner can put themselves in their workers’ shoes to better comprehend a less-than-satisfied response to a particular decision. Leaders need perspective to formulate a fuller understanding of their strengths and weaknesses. By listening to your employees and empathizing with them, you can cultivate a stronger sense of community among your workers. Address concerns as they arise and remember to express how valuable each and every team member is to the ultimate success of your projects.
Explain and Contain
You don’t want to be called out for beating around the bush. There’s no fighting the inevitable, and you shouldn’t waste time, energy, and resources trying to prove otherwise. Explain your decision, acknowledge the fact that it may be a popular choice, and don’t leave any openings for changes to your plan. At the end of the day you’re the leader, which means you have the final say. If this leads to resistance among your workers, you need to act quickly to contain the issue. You might not have the answers that they want to hear, but you should still listen to them to ease the pressure of their anxiety. You might be surprised to find out that simply listening can defuse a tense situation and help you get back on schedule.
Explain End Goals
Ultimately, your main concern is the sustained success of your business. To achieve this goal, you may need to make some unpopular decisions. If you chart the path toward success and allow your team to share in your vision, they will be better equipped to handle days when they feel like they’re not receiving the support they need. This will allow them to see that despite the challenges of today, a brighter future is on the horizon. And remember, to help you get there, a Miami construction lawyer is standing by.
If you would like to speak with one of our Miami construction lawyers, please contact us today.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for general educational information only. This information does not constitute legal advice, is not intended to constitute legal advice, nor should it be relied upon as legal advice for your specific factual pattern or situation.