Confrontational leadership: It can be healthy

Posted: November 16, 2015 | Categories: Management

As I was concluding a team-building meeting today, one of the participants ask about “Confrontational Leadership”.  I ask him to explain.  He defined it as the habit of clearly defining roles and expectations paired with consistent reinforcement and re-direction.

If the most important aspect of leadership is trust, the backbone of management skills seems to be clarity supported by ownership and accountability.  As team members, we like to know where we stand with the boss.  A good boss is in there with us and is providing constant feedback.

A few months ago I was talking with a manager of a service business.  On a platform of solid trust, he had built a nimble team.  Once a week  he would facilitate a team meeting.  Attendance was mandatory.  (If that sounds a little harsh, we can always say, “full participation!).  There was one member of the team who was almost always late to the meetings.  The manager, Tom, approached the team member and talked about the issue.  The team had already agreed to exhibiting the highest level or professionalism.  Tom reminded the team member that being punctual is a mark of professionalism, and from this point on, he expected her to be on time.

The meeting following that, the team member, Doris, was one minute late.  He went up to her and told her she would not be able to participate in the meeting because she was not on time.  She wasn’t happy, but she left without a scene.  Afterwards, Tom had a talk with her.  She admitted to the mistake, and re-committed herself to being on time.  From that point on, she was on time to every meeting.

Tom was a manager who believed in “confrontational management”.  If there is a standard that has been set and agreed to, then it should be followed.  Many managers would not have confronted Doris for fear of losing her trust.  Not only did Tom keep her trust, he helped one of his team members get better.  Tom understands a critical aspect of management:  “To help others grow and be more successful”