Sometimes, you gotta tell it like it is: The case of Steve Harvey

Steve Harvey just landed smack dab in the middle of another scandal. The author, comedian and TV host was ripped to shreds in the media when a memo he sent his staff went viral. While we won’t include the full memo here, it contains such gems as:

• “There will be no meetings in my dressing room. No stopping by or popping in. NO ONE. Do not come to my dressing room unless invited. Do not open my dressing room door. IF YOU OPEN MY DOOR, EXPECT TO BE REMOVED.”
• “I want all the ambushing to stop now … You must schedule an appointment. I have been taken advantage of by my lenient policy in the past. This ends now.”
• “Do not approach me while I’m in the makeup chair unless I ask to speak with you directly … I am seeking more free time for me throughout the day.”

Surprisingly, I’m not convinced Harvey’s wrong. I appreciate his directness. He was experiencing serious encroachments on his time and privacy, and he addressed the problem. He didn’t beat around the bush or sugarcoat the situation either. He needed change, so he spelled it out in crystal clear terms.

Could he have handled the situation differently? Probably. Even Harvey says so. In lieu of a memo, he could have held a meeting to explain the new guidelines in person. Still, I think there’s something to be said for setting expectations so clearly that there’s no room for doubt—and that’s something we can all work a little harder at.