Bad News & Fish…

…And How They Both Smell Really Bad After Lunch!

Having flown about 27 Billion miles in my career, I have had the opportunity to meet some really great people while on airplanes around the world. In one such encounter, I was fortunate enough to meet a well know Detroit Businessman. While the flight was brief and uneventful (the best kind), the conversation is one which has remained with me for decades.

The chat is what I call – “Deliver The News”.

As a young CEO, I was anxious to hear the wisdom of my airplane confined traveling acquaintance. Having not met previously, he was well known to me for having built a prolific and successful International business career, all while based out of the Motor City. I of course, was a total unknown to him, yet for a short time that day, his generosity was apparent as he spoke to me with equal stature.

The conversation casually flowed back and forth as we chatted about People, Business and Parenthood. Shortly thereafter, while reaching cruising altitude, the tables were suddenly turned as he emphatically stated, “…Let me tell you one thing I preach daily. Do you know how Bad News & Fish are alike?” With a puzzled look on my face, he must have quickly decided that we may need a much longer flight for me to come up with an answer, so he jumped back in with…”Neither one will smell better after lunch – Deliver the bad news quickly so that we can deal with it.”

Attempting to stammer some level of brilliance that I’m certain began with “But, But, But…,” I quickly executed the smartest and most articulate plan possible…

I Stopped Talking.

One insightful comment, one foundational trait by which to build a successful career on.

Deliver The News Now – It Won’t Smell Better Later!

As it is now decades later, and having what feels like centuries of experience as a manager and leader, those words have never been truer. The ability to deliver the news early and completely is what separates the successful from the befuddled, the efficient from the harried. With time comes choices, options and an ability to act – not simply react.

So years later, I can still picture myself being “That Guy,” the one with his mouth wide open, stopped right in the middle of the jet way blocking everyone and everything as I thought about what I had just been shocked to learn. Today, I realize truer words have never been spoken.

So no matter any of our positions in life, Leader, Manager, Parent or Individual Contributor… do it, DELIVER THE NEWS.

It Won’t Smell Better Later.