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Business Rule #24:
Prepare for Disaster
April 8, 2005
(PAGE 3 of 3)
Just like that student director, Tana was outstanding at putting on a game face. She wasn’t about to let a little thing like ruined samples spoil Magna’s shot at victory. In spite of this huge setback, she moved forward, focusing on what they could control: making the best presentation possible. Sure, Craig’s judicious use of White Out on the backwards lettering did a lot to hide the lame logo on one of the jackets. But Tana was the picture of pride as she presented their line. She knew that by taking a positive approach, the American Eagle executives would be encouraged to respond favorably to the Magna designs.
It is unfortunate that Angie got so rattled right before the presentation. With all of the setbacks—tardy fashion models, a lost sample—she just couldn’t bring herself to smile and speak up about the new Net Worth line. She had lost faith in her team’s prospects and her lack of confidence showed.
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She though wasn’t alone. Alex was the Project Manager leading the Net Worth brigade. He could have helped Angie out when he saw her struggling with her speech. He could have thanked her as though her part of her presentation were done and taken over. If he’d had enough confidence in the power of Net Worth’s line, he could have explained what made their clothing special.
Alex had several opportunities to leap into the breach and pick up the slack left by Chris’s absence. Instead, he left the bulk of the design and presentation work fall on Angie’s shoulders. Was he just lazy or was Alex trying to set Angie up for a fall? One way or the other, Alex sure didn’t bring much to the table. If he had been effectively overseeing the project, he would have made damn sure all of their samples made it to the store to show to the executives.
Problem solving will always be part of managing. But anticipating potential difficulties and taking appropriate precautions—like predicting hurricanes and putting up storm windows—can help avoid many crises before they happen. When an unforeseeable, unsolvable dilemma strikes, the manager’s attitude is vital: it sets the tone for his entire team—and his clients.
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When an unforeseeable, unsolvable dilemma strikes, the manager’s attitude is vital.
