On Spin

Do execs realize that when folk _know_ they are getting a "spun" answer it erodes respect? Conversely clear answers earn respect. One might wonder why do they do it if it leads to a bad outcome? Because the direct answer would lead to a worse outcome?

Example:

Staff: Can we get a copy of the report that came out of the staff survey from last month?

Spin: "That report went to senior leadership", "It had very little data in it". "It's not important to you."

Clear: No.

Treat staff like adults, it will shake out the babies. Do you want babies on staff?

One might argue that my response here is not adult; That I'm the baby for thinking this way. But I'll tell, you, upright folk think this but don't speak about it.

The adult thing to do is to go and speak with the person and convey your concerns about spin. I have not once had an exec take my concern to heart and change their behaviour ( as far as I'm aware ). More often than not I just get another heaping helping of spin. :(

One might argue a leader's job is spin. I'd argue that a leaders job is communication, and "framing". If your communication is seen as spin, you've gone too far; You've missed the mark; course correct. But tell me when has an exec ever received the message "you spun that too much?"

P.S. In the case of the report issue in the example above, there is an easy answer here: Generate two reports, one to send back to staff, and one for leadership.