Failure Inevitable at Chargers Park
Marty Schottenhemier was fired because of a relationship breakdown. A.J. Smith and Schottenheimer didn’t like each other and they stopped talking.
If it is true that Chargers president, A.J. Smith refused to talk with Schottenheimer about their relationship problems then significant blame belongs at Smith’s door. Of course, we cannot know what really happened. As in any relationship where communication breaks down, the cause is rarely only one person’s doing. Schottenheimer surely contributed to this problem.
Communication is a supporting pillar of all relationships, including managerial ones. Who among us doesn’t know this? Anyone married or in a long term relationship? What happens when you stop talking about the important and difficult stuff? Do those things magically get better? Does the relationship seem stronger or is there just a big lump under the carpet you both learn to tiptoe around?
It’s the same in the workplace. In fact, one could argue that in management open, honest, empathic, clear communication is even more essential if only because the level of emotional connectedness that exists in loving romantic relationships does not exist.
When talking stops and affection for one another is low or nil, the end is near. It will only take time for ultimate relationship breakdown to happen. Just wait – it will happen. We all should have seen this coming; it was inevitable.
David Facer is an executive leadership coach specializing in core skills development and targeted behavior change for emerging and seasoned executives. He works with individuals and teams. He can be reached at www.ActivatePotential.com.
If it is true that Chargers president, A.J. Smith refused to talk with Schottenheimer about their relationship problems then significant blame belongs at Smith’s door. Of course, we cannot know what really happened. As in any relationship where communication breaks down, the cause is rarely only one person’s doing. Schottenheimer surely contributed to this problem.
Communication is a supporting pillar of all relationships, including managerial ones. Who among us doesn’t know this? Anyone married or in a long term relationship? What happens when you stop talking about the important and difficult stuff? Do those things magically get better? Does the relationship seem stronger or is there just a big lump under the carpet you both learn to tiptoe around?
It’s the same in the workplace. In fact, one could argue that in management open, honest, empathic, clear communication is even more essential if only because the level of emotional connectedness that exists in loving romantic relationships does not exist.
When talking stops and affection for one another is low or nil, the end is near. It will only take time for ultimate relationship breakdown to happen. Just wait – it will happen. We all should have seen this coming; it was inevitable.
David Facer is an executive leadership coach specializing in core skills development and targeted behavior change for emerging and seasoned executives. He works with individuals and teams. He can be reached at www.ActivatePotential.com.
