“We can’t do that, we have to be PC”. Ever hear that? For some reason, these two letters push many managers into a state of inaction. What I don’t understand is why?
Why can’t we say “Don’t do that again”? Instead we say “Let’s see how we can do this differently”. The latter is great if you are coaching someone but only after they’ve been told that the previous method is unacceptable. Don’t confuse the two – the first is a directive, the second is instruction. It’s OK to use the two techniques together
Being politically correct means treating everyone with respect and dignity. It means making sure that we do not use our differences to demean, insult or injure. It means making sure that we are following legal requirements to extend equal opportunities to all who qualify based on ability and not some arbitrary factor such as age or sex. That’s all it means. What it does not mean is that we can’t let our staff know when they are doing something that is unacceptable. If there is doubt about whether you are being “PC”, get advice. Talk to your boss, your HR department, employee relations or company counsel. But don’t sit idle because you think you might offend. Find out, adjust accordingly and then take care of the issue. It all comes down to having the managerial courage to do what’s right.
Managerial Courage
I suspect that if you ask 10 people to define the term you’d get 10 different answers. For some, it might mean having to make tough decisions. For others, it might mean disciplining a difficult employee. For me it means having the confidence, the skills and the ability to be the manager. You are in charge. You have been given the responsibility and the authority to tell people not only what you want done, but when and how to do it, and conversely when and how not to do it. You have been tasked with making decisions that affect issues that are important to the organization. As such, you must have the courage and the confidence to guide your staff to achieve goals that contribute to success. When you have managerial courage, you use the laws, policies, procedures and rules to help you make a decision. You do not use them as an excuse for not making a decision. That’s when being PC is worthless. It protects no one and confuses everyone.