Fish or Cut Bait

Published: Jul 1, 2004

Application

Ask a person, "Are you going to Fish or Cut Bait?" This sounds a little less harsh than demanding, "Don't talk the talk if you can't walk the walk."

Besides, cutting the bait is an essential function. The analogy can be applied to active and supportive roles. In any case, roles and assignments can swiftly become clarified.

People who have a lot to say about doing something yet, in the end fail to deliver the goods, can be very disruptive. First, they tend to cause poor team spirit among their more productive associates. Second, the expectations and delegations of the manager can become time-consuming and disruptive.

Plain talk between persons is far better than beating around the bush or uttering derogatory comments behind a persons' backs. The latter is poor leadership.