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Football coach Bear Bryant said “the biggest mistake coaches make is taking borderline cases and trying to save them.”
Author Doris Kearns Goodwin describes the weaknesses as well as the strengths of Abraham Lincoln in her book A Team of Rivals. Lincoln’s greatest flaw came out of his strength, which was liking people and not wanting to hurt them. One result was his delay in removing Gen. George McClellan as commander of the Union Army.
Born to the upper class, McClellan referred to Lincoln as “a well-meaning baboon.” McClellan was a perfectionist who struggled to take decisive action. He should have been removed long before he was. Only after the horrible losses in the battle of Antietam, Lincoln finally removed McClellan from command.
Many managers struggle with tough people calls. Leaders with strong people skills may be slow to act in removing incompetent performers.
Take a look at your warehousing organization. Do you have a McClellan or a similar borderline case? If so, why have you delayed in taking corrective action?
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