Bad Times? Don’t Blame!

Management Tip of the Day :: April 15, 2009 :: HarvardBusiness.org

It's nice to see HBR, for once, spreading the message of Dr. Deming. If you have tough financial circumstances in your company, one of their four tips includes:

Don't blame. While certain senior managers may be more culpable than others, singling out individuals does not instill faith. Instead of pointing fingers, honestly address the situation and describe a plan of action.

Blame and finger pointing rarely helps. It certainly does not create the team atmosphere that would be required to successfully navigate tough times. Weak leaders blame. Strong effective leaders focus on problems and root causes… focusing on action and improvement rather than blaming or eliminating the “at fault” individual.