Ever wonder who’s in charge where you work? How many times do you see people who report to two or more bosses? Even when you think you have one boss, sometimes that boss is over ridden by a higher power. We work through those problems when they occur, trying to keep everybody happy.
When it comes across the TV screen in a very public way with the Mayor of New Orleans saying one thing and the Disaster Relief chief saying another, it makes one wonder. Who IS in charge? Which leader should we follow? Where is the chain of command? What, no organization chart?
Perhaps there should be a new mandatory course for high school seniors explaining the separation of powers: city, state, Federal and the chain of command in disaster situations. No doubt, the Mayor is the leader of his city–until he calls in the Feds. Then he loses control. If he needs help to bail out his city, it would be wise to at least consult with the experts before making a public pronouncement.
Even when we Take Charge of our own lives, it is wise to enroll other people, to let them know what we are thinking and planning and even ask them for feedback. No person is an island. No one knows it all. It is not demeaning to collaborate. Instead, it exhibits a certain amount of self-confidence.
