Proverbs 29.19
“By mere words a servant is not disciplined, for though he understands, he will not respond.”
This passage speaks of the correction of servants. It is really a study in human nature. Solomon’s point is simple: Words don’t always work. Though correction is designed for our good, we don’t usually like being corrected. Wise people understand the value of direction and correction.
Solomon inserts the fact that the lack of response to a verbal correction is not always due to a lack of understanding. Some people may fully understand the correction and still not answer. They heard, they understood, but they continued to do it their way.
You would not want this person folding parachutes in a factory or preparing your medications.
This is a key message for leaders: Behavior that is inconsistent with your culture and performance standards must be challenged in a proactive and productive way. It’s a law of culture: If you permit it, you promote it. Have the accountability conversation. The longer you procrastinate and avoid the difficult conversation, the harder it gets and the more that uncertainty and negativity grow. When you fail to hold people accountable, several bad things happen.
- You reinforce unwanted behavior.
- People who are living the culture get frustrated.
- You lose credibility as a leader.
- The culture is weakened and performance suffers.
Escalate consequences as needed. When performance is below standards or behavior is not in alignment with the culture, there should be a growing level of discomfort and consequences. Do not avoid a necessary conversation because it makes you or the other person uncomfortable. Discomfort is a catalyst that signals something isn’t right and someone needs to make a change. Don’t flinch. To avoid the discomfort is to fail to lead.
Without the option of escalated consequences, words will fall on deaf ears and those words will be hollow and empty. It’s human nature: words don’t always work.
