Teams are constantly pursuing speed, efficiency, and collaboration. However, even the most successful teams sometimes (or often) encounter disagreements and impasses. In such situations, it is vital to recognize the power of Escalation as a tool for expediting decision-making and resolving conflicts in a timely manner.
Effective Escalations drive Timely Decisions
Unfortunately, the term "escalation" often carries a negative connotation, conjuring up images of conflict and arguments. As a result, many people shy away from utilizing this valuable tool, even though it is particularly critical in larger teams and complex projects. It's understandable to feel apprehensive about escalating, especially if you don't know your colleague well or don't trust them to fully grasp the issue at hand.
However, it's important to understand that escalation is not about "winning" an argument or proving someone wrong.
Rather, Escalation is a mechanism for selecting the best course of action quickly, in order to achieve progress.
By viewing escalation as a non-threatening approach to expediting decisions, you can build a culture of trust, collaboration, and productivity within your team.
Effective Escalations drive Ownership
In order for escalation to be effective, it is essential to know who the area owner or approver is (and forces this “owner” conversation). There is only one (and max two) approvers (or owners) in an area.
It's important to distinguish between a reviewer and an approver. A reviewer is someone who should be asked for input but cannot block execution. On the other hand, an approver can block execution. It's common to have many reviewers, and this is a good thing early on in a project to address potential problems before they become significant. However, confusion arises when people mistake reviewers for approvers or when reviewers act like approvers.
In a successful review cycle, the ultimate goal is not to make everyone happy, but rather to ensure that you have received valuable feedback and that both you and your approver are confident in moving forward.
Effective Escalations drive Accountability
Effective escalations emphasize the responsibility of each member for the success of a project. It's crucial to recognize that compromising in a disagreement or impasse can have negative consequences down the line, and ultimately, the decision was yours to make. As such, compromising against your better judgment is not a viable option.
It's important to own your decisions and remember that you are accountable for their outcomes.