Fear Chart

from Able Leader, February 2008

by Steve Kaye

Every organization has a standard chart that shows who reports to whom.

But there's another organization chart that matters more. And I doubt that anyone has one of these.

It's the chart that shows who's afraid of whom.

So, take out a page and prepare this chart. It might prove useful.

Just like any standard organization chart, begin with a name in a box. Then, under this box, draw boxes for everyone who is afraid of that person.

For example, let's assume an entire department fears (as in reports to) the angry manager upstairs.

You may also uncover special islands of fear. For example, let's assume the new employee who started last week fears the surly clerk down the hall.

Continue this process until you have a complete chart.

Of course, some people won't fit on the chart because no one is afraid of them. These good people accomplish this by communicating well and getting along.

Now, here's how to use the chart:

1) Identify Control

Just as a standard organization chart shows command, this one shows control.

So, now you can assess who controls whom. Then you can determine if this is the type of control that you want in your organization.

2) Identify Culture

Next, fill in how each scary person scares others.

You will probably notice that each scary person accomplishes this through some sort of social incompetence.

Once you know this, you can determine why the scary person is able to get away with scaring others.

Most likely the scary person is getting some reward (either organizational or personal) for causing fear.

So, now would be a good time to review the reward system in your business. For example, is that angry manager ( the one upstairs) being rewarded in some way for being angry?

It's possible, for example, that the angry manager receives raises for obtaining results without regard for how they were obtained. Or, this manager may escape being held accountable for anything because everyone is afraid to confront real performance.

Destructive behavior also flourishes under denial. That is, everyone pretends it's okay because no one has the courage to deal with it.

This, for example, might explain why the surly clerk is still working in your office.

In total, your reward and tolerance (or denial) systems determine the culture in your business. Now, you can use this chart to determine how your work environment affects everyone's performance.

3) Identify Costs

Last, fill in the scope of each person's fear by identifying how much it costs your business.

For example, fear reduces (or prevents) effective communication. So, how many projects fared poorly because of inadequate communication? How many problems resulted from people being afraid of each other? How many people left because of personal conflicts?

Add up the costs to determine the total cost of fear in your organization. This, by the way, is an expense that you want to eliminate.

Now, what's next?

You might want to post this chart on your wall.

It explains past performance. It predicts the future. And it serves as a reminder.

After all, your goal is to have only one organization chart (i.e., the real one) by building a staff that works together in harmony.

And this fear chart is the key to achieving that goal.

By the way, my workshops show people how to work together without having to scare anyone.

Much success,

Steve Kaye
714-528-1300