Coaching in Analogies #11: Don't wash the rental car

A client had a challenging relationship with a member of his team. At the same time, he was pretty sure this person would soon move to a different part of the business outside of his span of control. So it was a sticky situation, but likely a temporary one. The client was trying to figure out how much effort to put into patching this relationship and improving the employee’s performance, versus ignoring it until a new supervisor took over.

I suggested thinking about a rental car. It’s the ultimate in time-limited situations. You’re entrusted with the care and operation of this very valuable thing. You might be driving members of your family around in it, so you’re also entrusting their safety to the vehicle. It’s important for everyone to do their part in this universe. If you decide to ignore the signs and light up a smoke while you’re driving, the decision comes with consequences. You’re not supposed to go all Blues Brothers on a river crossing either.

And yet, it’s not your car. During the time you have it, you don’t change the oil, check the fluids or wash it. That’s someone else’s responsibility, because this is a temporary arrangement. You hand over the keys, and you’re done.

My client knew he would continue to do all of the things responsible supervisors do -- regardless of how long it took for his staffer’s transfer to another department. He also decided that this was likely a matter of months, not years. So he would keep the interactions as light and as pleasant as possible while not investing a ton of time and energy into the future of the relationship. He was, after all, about to hand over the keys to that relationship to someone else.

Coaching prompts:

• What can you do to show up as an authentic, courageous, thoughtful leader in relationships that could last 5 minutes or many years?

• Which of your relationships might be worthy of more investment? Of less investment? 

Image: Colonial Car Wash