People are like rabbits

I was having a conversation with a colleague earlier today and this subject came up.

when i was growing up in Pennsylvania I did alot of small game hunting...rabbits, pheasant, etc...

when hunting for rabbits you start walking through a field...take about 10 steps then stop and wait.

Like people rabbits like to know where they stand in relation to you...so as long as they can hear you walking they are happy and know they are safe (assuming you are not about to step on them).

When you stop...they can't hear you any more and start to wonder..."where is he?"..."what should i do?"...and panic sets in and they bolt...that is when you shoot them.

Poeple are the same way...as long as you are effectively communicating with them...even though it may not be good news..they are happy because they know where they stand....once that communication stops people become scared rabbits and tend to do stupid things.

As a manager i have always made it my priority to make sure that the people reporting to me always know where they stand....and for the most part...barring the crazies...it makes for a much more harmonious environment to work in.