This has been going on for years. He has sold his manager on the idea that the meeting is necessary to get everyone “in the right headspace” for the week. Employees have to set time-sensitive and critical work aside so this manager can validate his position in the office. No problems are solved at these meetings. No new ideas born. It is a repetitive recap of what we all know happened last week, and a repetitive pre-cap of what we all know is going to happen this week. It is the ultimate waste of time.
It is all is about corporate hierarchy and control. But true leaders don’t feel the need to gather and talk to their employees like school children. “Dan, tell the class what you did last week.” True leaders don’t control their people, they inspire them.
This is where Wells Fargo goes wrong. They place a higher value on “the illusion” of preparation, oversight, engagement, and leadership rather than actually doing the work necessary to prepare, oversee, engage and lead.
Our managers fall all over themselves trying to prove their value to the bank in a way they think will get the high marks come review time. Keep smiling! Stay upbeat even though they keep cutting staff and expenses! Write up exciting plans and present them on PowerPoint, but don’t do anything! Get involved in Wells Fargo Volunteers! And keep holding those meetings!
Word to our managers:
We understand. We all know how difficult it is to prove your value and get ahead here. We don’t like the review and ranking system either. This is a tough environment. All that we ask is that you not make us suffer for years so that you can put the weekly meeting soundbite on your annual performance review.