Air Cover

[Anonymous]

C-level exec tells me, let me know if you need air cover, in a first 1:1 conversation we had. Like, just generally. How would I take him up on his offer, if I felt I needed to? I’m glad to know I have his support, but have never before asked for "air cover."

[Anonymous]

You have to make an unpopular decision and you say "my boss is requiring that I do xyz". So you preserve your relationship with your people and he gets the blame for whatever.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You have to make an unpopular decision and you say "my boss is requiring that I do xyz". So you preserve your relationship with your people and he gets the blame for whatever.

So do I give him a heads up if we haven’t previously discussed a specific issue / topic, or just go ahead and use him as cover for all unpopular decisions ?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You have to make an unpopular decision and you say "my boss is requiring that I do xyz". So you preserve your relationship with your people and he gets the blame for whatever.

Presumably Op knows this. Or can Google. So, I’m not sure what the question is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You have to make an unpopular decision and you say "my boss is requiring that I do xyz". So you preserve your relationship with your people and he gets the blame for whatever.

So do I give him a heads up if we haven’t previously discussed a specific issue / topic, or just go ahead and use him as cover for all unpopular decisions ?

Well he said “let me know if you need air cover”. So yes, you would give him a heads up. And use very judiciously, if ever. Not to get out of every unpopular decision or uncomfortable discussion. It’s hard to respect a manager who won’t stand by his or her decisions or is obviously passing the buck or appears powerless and only a pass through for the C suite. You do actually have to manage your people. Think you have to cut your team in half and you choose who goes and one of their choices is going to make the rest of the team mutiny.

[Anonymous]

If you use it, it can seem like you can’t handle stuff yourself.

[Anonymous]

That’s code to let DEI hires know their unqualified and will likely need saving.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:That’s code to let DEI hires know their unqualified and will likely need saving.

This. He thinks you can’t do the job.