Leadership Lessons from the Dubai Ports Deal - Handling Controversy in the Workplace

Many times headlines on the front page of theare reluctant to try a new policies, procedures, or
newspaper can cause us to think of our ownstrategies.The First Sign of ControversyThe first
leadership ability. Such is the case with the recentsign of controversy to any leader should be a
controversy over what is commonly called themental bell that rings loudly in their head as soon
Dubai Ports Deal.The controversy began when DPas they approach any type of decision that may
World, a Dubai owned port managementintrude or change the comfort zone of those
company, purchased Peninsular & Oriental Steamthey lead. All great leaders have the well-being of
Navigation Company of Britain. P&O managed 6their people at the forefront of their minds at all
American ports and had operations at 16 othertimes. Every decision they make has the best
American ports. The controversy raged on theinterest of their people in mind. They typically
front pages of our newspapers and as the leadknow the comfort zone of their employees and
story I'm newscasts. Leaders on both sides ofcustomers. When they are faced with a
the issue were distracted from other issues asproposition that will create a concern by those
the controversy went on.Regardless of which sideemployees or customers they know that the
you are on, there are many leadership lessonssituation require special handling.What do you do
that we can learn from that Dubai Ports Deal.when the bell goes off?Most decisions you make
Probably the most prolific would be how wewill not involve controversy. However when you
handle controversy. As business leaders is virtuallyare faced with a decision and that little bell goes
impossible not to face controversy from time tooff, you need to ask yourself these questions
time. In fact if you have never had to facewhich all revolve around how your people will look
controversy it would be fair to assume that youat your decision.