Does poor leadership lead to poor business practices? You bet they do

I know this is a little late, and that I have mentioned this earlier.  However, I want you to look at this from a management point of view.  How are our county employees managed?  This is not about those who are hired as department heads or supervisors, but this about those we elect, and how they are performing.

First, and again, let me say this whole process of reviewing department heads in public is nothing more than an ego trip for the commissioners.  This is a chance for the minions to have to bow at the alter of power.  It would be fitting, if after the review, the commissioners signified the keeping or firing of the department heads by an up or down turned thumb.  Similar to the Roman leaders tell the gladiators whether to allow a fighter to live or die.  I am sure we can find robes for all the commish's.

Now, take a minute and read the attached portion of the LMT article published last week.  Note the red highlights.  I will continue to analyze below.

2 department heads fired after annual evaluation

By Andrew Kreighbaum  

Laredo Morning Times

Published: Tuesday, July 19, 2011 6:07 AM CDT

Webb County commissioners shook up the leadership of several departments Monday, beginning with the firing of two directors.

At the urging of Commissioners Jaime Canales and Jerry Garza, the court voted to terminate county engineer Fitzgeraldo Sanchez and building maintenance director Raul Elizondo.

Sanchez has been a frequent target of criticism at Commissioners Court meetings for delays in the paving of roads and other projects.

Elizondo came under fire from Canales for what he said was disrespectful behavior towards elected officials and his own staff.

The court took the actions during a special meeting for annual evaluations of 24 county department heads.

It was the fourth year in a row the court has held a special meeting to provide feedback to staff.

Commissioner Rosaura “Wawi” Tijerina brought up several complaints from elected officials and county insurance representatives over how Elizondo had handled requests for improvements.

Elizondo answered that he was simply stretched thin and many officials do not like hearing the word “no” — even when the county is short on funds.

He said the department’s $187,000 budget is less than what it received in 1999.

Since that time the county has added 26 new buildings, he said.

But Canales said Elizondo’s perception problems extended even to his own employees.

“Respect should be earned,” Canales told Elizondo.

“I simply believe that you have lost the respect of your people.”

Canales said he met with several staffers from building maintenance at his home after taking office and heard multiple complaints about management.

Elizondo protested that he tried repeatedly to reach the commissioner to discuss his responsibilities and any concerns the court had.

But Canales said he was waiting to see if Elizondo would take any corrective actions of his own accord.

Now that you read this, do you see what I am talking about?   I know this is a newspaper article, and a lot can be left out.  So dear readers, to make my point, which is a lesson in management, I am making the assumption that what is said in the article is true.

Lesson 1.  Bad managers only listen to one side of a story.  
                      It is pretty obvious that Canales only heard the employee side of how Elizondo operated.  He did not even have the curiosity to respond and meet with Elizondo.  Was this a political or managerial decision.  No matter, poor leadership.

Lesson 2.  Bad managers invite employees to places where business is not normally conducted to discuss personnel issues.
                      Did it not strike a bell with you when you read that Canales met with employees at his house?  Again, was this a campaign issue or personnel issue.  Makes me wonder.

Lesson 3.  Bad managers do not understand workload or work processes of the business they are managing.
                       It is pretty obvious that a budget of $187,000 which was less than spent in 1999 with 26 fewer buildings to manage might be a problem.  Now, if I had that information, I would at least want to talk with the department head to understand the issues.  According to the article, Canales did not find that as an important issue.

Bottom line is, this is a pretty poor job of management by Commissioner Canales, if the article is true and accurate.  But, again, what do you expect from elected officials in Laredo?

Me, I expect more, but obviously the majority of voters don't.