The Doer, The Coach and the one that merely comments….
You find these three categories of people everywhere and at all levels….
The ‘Doer’ is the one that has to get it done… he is the one on the spot… he must be able to make decisions on the spot… he must do things so they are actually done… he does not always have the luxury of evaluating all the pros and cons… instead, he has to focus on getting it done….
The ‘Coach’ has the responsibility of ensuring that the Doer is able to do his job effectively… the coach empathizes with the doer, but he is also the one that must constantly improve the doer… he is entrusted the responsibility of continuous improvement… He must motivate, chastise, challenge, train and let the doer practice as needed… His comments are well intentioned, constructive and needed!
Unfortunately however, there are more of those that derive pleasure passing vile comments… they serve no purpose but distract the doers or cause the organization’s management develop inaccurate perceptions… It gets really bothersome when these people start negatively impacting productivity either because their irresponsible comments demoralize the doers or because they end up placing themselves in spots which can create unnecessary work for everyone involved, for they can wield an influence that holds the doers and the coaches under scrutiny….
Organizations grow best by breaking silos no-doubt! But should you find your organization plagued by such cross-functional non-doers that are also not the coaches that can mentor and grow, recognize than as the people that causing you process inefficiencies and organizational slow-down….
Seal such people that pass unproductive comments in tight boundaries that the doers and the coaches may help you grow!
