A Needed Lesson in Management for North Carolina’s Governor

July 8, 2010

As managers, we continually face decisions how to address difficult employee matters. Governor Perdue gave us a lesson yesterday in dealing with the troubles facing the North Carolina Highway Patrol.

On Wednesday, July 7, 2010, Governor Beverly Perdue met with 160 of the top officers in the North Carolina Highway Patrol. Here was her message:

“If you betray your oath, you will be dismissed,” Perdue said. “I don’t believe that since some of these men and women were sworn in 22 years ago that anybody has ever dared get in their face and say that ethics code is a litmus test for your job.” (News & Observer, July 8, 2010)

Perdue’s meeting and comments might make good politics, but it is extremely poor management. Perdue was addressing the troopers and the press after a series of trooper misconduct that has occurred over the last several years.

In managing people, it is my strong and firm belief that you NEVER handle inappropriate behavior by blasting the entire staff. Perdue even admitted yesterday, “I continue to believe that 99.9% of the men and women of the North Carolina Highway Patrol are doing tremendous work.”

Well Governor, if you believe what you say then act accordingly in doing your job as a manager.

Good managers do not treat good and innocent employees as part of a problem.

Good managers deal with problem employees directly, individually, timely, and appropriately.

Good managers do not call group meeting to address the problem – blasting the good employees with the bad.

It is amazing how often I am asked how to handle employee problems. Sometimes the manager wants to write everyone an email or memo telling the entire staff not to do something inappropriate. Sometimes the manager wants to hold a group meeting. My advice is always the same, deal with the problem directly and NEVER involve good employees when dealing with a something that is none of their business.

This advice is true for any supervisor, manager, or Governor. It is Management 101 and a lesson the Governor of North Carolina needs to learn – if she intends to effectively manage people.

One last point, Management 102 says that the Commander of the Highway Patrol should be dealing with these issues. If the Commander is not doing his job, he should be replaced.