Guessing is not a strategy: How to build decision velocity with AI and real-time data
June 10, 2026 | Live Webinar
Categories: Leadership
It's about time. They have just re-done that study from the 60's where poor participants are told to electroshock hidden test-takers when questions are answered incorrectly. Remember? The test-takers are actors that complain or scream louder as the (fake) voltage is gradually increased. Everyone was shocked when the study reported that study participants could be prodded into increasing voltage to lethal levels by a confident and firm "controller" who was always present (and impressively decked out in a lab coat and clip board). And so we have the scientific basis to modern management theory.
Just kidding, but you will be interested to know that the re-done study has confirmed the previous results, showing that it was not some cruelty connected with the past. People can still be manipulated to unusual lengths by authority figures.
But can leaders use their powers for good? Maybe, if they know how. Top business schools are changing their curricula to teach leaders how to shepherd their teams or organizations through global and financial changes. They are going to let their students know what you also need to know - that the
- technical skills
- professional skills and
- political skills
...you have relied on so far are very little help when you need to lead your workforce through trouble, crises or major adjustments to global changes. Sorry, but it's true.
Powers to influence the workforce are paramount. Prepare yourself to get employee buy-in using key tactics. One is Selling the Validity of the Organizational Direction (my title - isn't it great?). Employees have to understand organizational plans. If they don't understand, it will lead to lack of commitment, and as a bonus, will translate into failure of the initiative (and your leadership). Put this skill in your development plan for next year.
There is another tactic for crucial trust-building in my next post. Then I'll be out for the holidays until the first of the year.
Posted on: December 20, 2008 08:39 PM |
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