When people repeatedly violate the expected behaviors despite coaching, Mulally gave them a choice: either commit to the principles and practices and work with a coach to improve, or opt out respectfully. He made clear that 'it's okay' to leave means the organization still loves them as human beings (the first principle), but they won't be part of the team going forward.
normativepending
Speaker
Alan MulallyEvidence Quote
“if you don't want to commit or you can't commit to these principles and practices it's okay and I'm looking at their face and Shane I could see what they were thinking they thought I meant oh I mean because I'm so important that I can start to treat people like I always I treat them and not move in this direction and so and they even say that sometimes well thank you very much Alan I said no okay what I mean by okay is it really is okay because you're making a decision to move on and and it's okay and remember that first principle we still love you you're a human being you're a creature of God”
Source
Principles for Successful Teamwork | Alan Mulally | Knowledge Project Podcast 151— The Knowledge Project PodcastCreated: 8/10/2026, 11:39:28 PM
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