“Management told us ‘Your estimates are wrong. Estimate better so it’s done by Christmas.’”
That was at the heart of a recent conversation with a colleague. Now, they have a team that’s angry, demotivated, and unlikely to do anything beyond bare compliance. If that.
Why?
Context and Anxiety
It’s clear that management had context that said that this work being estimated needed to be done by Christmas. And it’s clear they did not share that context.
Then they demonstrated low trust and respect by literally saying “Your estimates are wrong.”
They’re anxious and pushing their anxiety downhill.
This can be described in terms of the Control Cycle –
- They become aware of a problem – needing something done by Christmas
- The team doing the work says “after Christmas,” increasing the anxiety
- They make a “gut-level” evaluation that the work “can be done” before Christmas and “must be done” by that date
- They call on the “advice” that developers always over-estimate
- They Lay Blame on the team to force them into compliance
- Now management feels “in control” of the situation.
The problem still exists (the work is believed to be needed by Christmas and likely cannot), but the symptom of feeling out of control is resolved for now.
By reassuring themselves that “the team is wrong,” management have traded their anxiety in the moment for a bigger dose later on.
The Alternative
The alternative to the Control Cycle is the Power Cycle –
- The first step is to go looking for the real problem. In this case, anxiety about the deadline blocks considering if the deadline is genuine, or if another path exists.
- Because the goal is solution not control, the team can be invited into the effort to find solutions, leading to shared understanding and breakthroughs.
- The clarity of having everyone work together creates trust in each other and in the solution.
- The solution is the most powerful path available.
The Power Cycle creates clarity and trust everyone has in the solution. Been part of “problem solving” where one person controlled the solution and nobody had any confidence in it? But the person “in control” felt good?
What happened later? The person “in control” blamed everyone else for “not doing it right” or “not working hard enough.”
That’s what happens in the Control Cycle – the “solution” is designed to keep the person in charge in control, not to solve the problem.
Acting from the Power Cycle solves the real problem, and everyone shares in the solution. But you can’t force people into the Power Cycle. It’s only available when each person chooses it.
Recognize “Your estimate is wrong” as a sign of Control Cycle decision making. Awareness unlocks the opportunity to change.
Ask what assumptions you’re making, and what beliefs you haven’t questioned.
Acknowledge that excluding others from the solution is a sign you’re in the Control Cycle, solving the anxiety not the real problem.
Explicitly commit to seeking and solving the real problem, not chasing a feeling of control.
You can do this. I can help.
The Power or Control Model © Bill J. McCarley and Henning Wolf
https://www.co-evolution.com/powercontrol.php