Month: August 2025

The captain (boss) gets the final say. It’s important there is clarity about who is in charge. However being the boss doesn’t mean every decision is the right one. You (first officer) need a way you can convey your point of view if the decision(s) being made could have a very bad outcome. At work we follow the sociocracy workflow that has a principle of raising “critical concerns”. In aviation they say “captain, it’s imperative you listen” which is their code trigger to ensure the captain pays specific attention. Everyone needs ways to raise important questions. The boss may still choose an alternative course of action but at least both parties know how to raise their concerns.

Having a clear procedure for this type of communication may save time/money/ avoid a significant risk to you or others.

Every interaction is like a roll of the dice. You aim to move forward. Yet in the game Snakes and ladders a roll of the dice can move you forward but then suddenly back down the rung of a ladder. A little way down or nearly back to square one. Every time your boss changes, your contact leaves at the place you had influence or the world around you changes it can feel like your tumbling back to the beginning. Better to know that and know the conditions of the rules than to keep focusing on changing the game just because you don’t want to play. Expect to tumble and go again and again.