Akron, OH

Sunday, February 07, 2010

Undercover Boss is a new CBS unreal reality show that premiered after the Super Bowl. The premise has viewers watch as the CEOs of large companies go undercover as low-level employees in their own company. Yes, it is a grown up fairy tale. Wouldn't it be a perfect world if all CEOs would choose to do the really bad jobs at their companies so they understand how their decisions and cost-cutting maneuvers affect real human beings?

Doesn't every employee in every company in every city in America want their boss to try their own job for a day? What if a boss did try a low level task once a day or once a week. Five lessons a C-level person could learn about their own company that they could not learn any other way:

1. Strategy lives in the real world

From concept to practical application can be a long journey. A CEO type can see the implementation of their strategy in their company's real world, rather than just the unreal protection of the Boardroom.

2. Communication isn't a one time event

C level types often think that one memo or one email or one company meeting is enough. C types can learn at the bottom of the organizational chart just how little communication dribbles down.

3. Workloads actually involve people

It may seem like a good idea on paper for Mary to answer phones and sweep the floor, or Dave clean toilets and unload trucks. In reality, C levels would see that one person is still paid for one job while doing two or three.

4. Compliance has unexpected consequences

Sometimes the only way to know how a policy plays out, is to see it at the level it will be enacted. Yes it may be possible to pick up garbage at 62 homes a shift. Is it realistic for the driver to never take a potty break or stop for gas?

5. Over management sucks

The only way to assess over management is to live at the different levels in your own company. Over management is like being fat. No one will tell you the truth.

Leslie Ungar

president

Electric Impulse Communications, Inc.

Akron, OH

330-668-6569