Hi Aunty B,
I’m a senior manager in a medium-sized business in a creative field. The company is owned 50/50 by two directors, male and female. I’ve been with them from the start of the business and have developed personal relationships with them both outside of the office.
The two directors are polar opposites with completely different views on how the business should run. He wants to continue to operate in the ‘family’, relaxed environment we started out with five years ago, and she wants the company to run as it should, like a proper structured business worthy of it’s now 40-odd employees
Myself and one of the other managers are trying to implement and enforce policies, procedures and structure for the business, however our efforts are half-heartedly supported by “she”, and completely disregarded by “he”.
The directors no longer get along, rarely speak to each other, and have continually refused my suggestions of a weekly or even fortnightly meeting between them so they can discuss issues within the business directly rather than through me.
I would appreciate some advice as to how to stop being the ‘piggy in the middle’, and feeling like the dobbing child when one of them tells me about a business decision they have made, when I’m certain they haven’t discussed that decision with the other director.
I feel like a teenager stuck in a family headed for divorce, and I don’t know how to stop it.
Thanks,
Frustrated
Brisbane
Dear Frustrated,
First a pat on the back. You have summed up the situation perfectly and they are lucky to have such a level headed professional as you! Unfortunately you are right. They are heading straight for the divorce courts and unless they come to their senses it will be messy and acrimonious and all the children – staff, customers and suppliers – will suffer.
In fact there could be no worse situation than when two owners have a different view of the future of the company.
There is an obvious missing link here. Who is CEO? Who is running the place? A medium-sized business needs one leader who sets the vision, the strategy and then sets up a management team to ensure that policies and procedures are put in place. It is no longer appropriate for the two founders to be running the company in the manner they are. It doesn’t work and the tensions you describe are an inevitable result of this.
You need to make a big decision. For the sake of the business, your colleagues and customers, you must call a spade a spade.
I would call a meeting with both of the separately and outline your concerns and talk specifically about the damage to the business. Use direct examples and remain unemotional as you speak. Talk about the need for a CEO but be careful not to take sides. Be very honest with the director who wants the business to stay friendly and relaxed. Point out that the way to keep the current culture as you grow is to put in place policies and procedures. Otherwise you have chaos and frustrated staff who then leave!
Don’t try to come up with all the answers. And don’t forget to be very complimentary about the way they have built the business so far. (Founders have big egos.)
But make sure you are honest about your fears.
You also need to let them know that unless they agree to the changes, you will leave. Don’t underestimate how much they rely on you.
And if I was you I would put your hand up for the position!
Good luck!
Your Aunty B
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