Would You Work With This Company?
If the U.S. Congress were a company, who would work with them? Absolutely not. After a rollercoaster week of dysfunction, it is clear that the Congress is not ready for prime time. Lets take a look at it from a business perspective.
Leadership: Most obvious is the lack of leadership and cohesive vision. Where is this entity going and who is leading them? It is unknown. There seems to be more in-fighting than work being done. This does not fly in the real world as you cannot have a successful business with anybody and everybody doing their own thing. Also, leading through fear, retribution and anger does not get anybody anywhere.
Integrity: Would you allow your personnel to lie openly and present falsified information to your clients, then start screaming and insulting them? Do you regularly make a deal, only to ignore it when it is convenient for you? Does your word mean anything? As a business, the image of dishonesty spreads quickly. Your word is sacred. Protect the integrity. Once lost, it is difficult to regain trust from any stakeholder.
Deadlines: The deadline for the FY2024 budget was September 30th. It was extended through a Continuing Resolution for 45 days. How many of you can ignore the deadline, then at the last minute give yourself another 45 days to put something together? This was not an unexpected deadline. It's been the same for decades. Yet, the institution chose not meet it. Imagine sitting in front of your client and saying that you won't be meeting your deadline! Too bad. Everything and everyone who depended on your deliverable has to stop and wait for you. I doubt you'd get another project or get paid for this one.
Customer Service: The relationship is upside down. Congress works for the citizens of the United States, not the other way around. Are we getting the service expected and required? No. The failure to conduct business and reflect the wants and needs of this country? No. Again, if your business failed to deliver, failed to consider your needs, and acted against all requirements, how long would you remain in business?
Workplace Culture: As was on display with vacating the Speaker, Congress is a mess. Everyone is out for themself, rising on the backs of others while tearing down whoever they can. This backstabbing and game playing is toxic in any workplace environment. The tone is set by the actions of leadership and reinforced by a shared sense of purpose. This is truly lacking.
Employee Quality: Are these the best and the brightest, or a few "A players" carrying the "B" and "C "Teams? And is everyone up to speed on what is required, how to conduct business, and where they are headed? No. There is such a difference between the seriousness between members that it is clear that these are not the best and the brightest. Further, the least professional are setting the tone, which further devolves the institution. If your business throws any body at a problem, puts them front and center, then gets non-results, would you last? Would your clients pay for sub-par performance? No. Employees are a direct reflection on the quality of your organization. Losers bring everyone down and ruin reputations.
Processes and Procedures: Do the processes and procedures reflect the current work environment, client work, company culture, goals, mission, value and vision? Are they a benefit to getting the work done or a hinderance? Is there so much invested in process that service and agility suffer? And are they codified so everyone knows the rules? Not in Congress. Procedure and manipulation of process and rules detract from doing the work.
Mentorship: There is mentorship, but is it consistent with the company's values and culture? Or is it a counter-culture clique who are building their own set of rules and power-base. Are the right people in the organization building a tree of proteges to build long-term business stability? In business, mentorship is critical but is starting to lessen with remote work. As a company leader, be sure that your most trusted and talented employees are the ones growing your workforce and moving everyone in the right direction for your business. You lead the way in molding your personnel and future company leaders.
Predictability/Stability: This is the biggest ding on a company. With the failure rates of new businesses, a client wants assurance that the company will be around and is not going to disappear midstream. Knowing what to expect takes a large risk out of working with your firm. This is not the case with Congress. The volatile environment, leadership changes, and flexible rules takes away predictability. If your company did this, it would be labeled "fly by night" or "amateurish". Building a reputation, delivering on what is promised, and having consistency are means to build predictability.
I know that Congress is political and not a business, but it is a metaphor for "how not to run a business." Regardless of what goes on in Washington DC, the rest of us live in the real world where the operation and direction of our businesses matter. Where having the right strategy, structure, people, processes, and technology in place matters.
If you feel as dysfunctional as Congress, reach out to me ASAP. You don't have to be trapped on this rollercoaster of uncertainty and drama. https:/www.calendly.com-libby-coaching or [email protected].