How Do You Think That You Think You Do?

What does everyone think?  My Wife, Son, Mother, Brothers, Friends, Acquaintances, Co-Bloggers, Co-Workers and Work Supervisors.

Lots to be concerned with, there.  Hope I appear correct for all of them.  Think I’ll take a survey of them, and really find out.  Simple. 

Take the survey, and see just how confused I can remain.  Not that their opinions don’t count but, if I don’t have one other opinion, it is all for naught.  That one other opinion tips the scale, and counts for a minimum of 51%.

Mine.

I have final say so over, my deepest personality traits, composing; Me.  Some traits more engrained than others but, still,  I above anyone, choose.  I am the custodian, the trait keeper.  No one more fluent on the subject than I am.

That being true, then, why do we solicit, approval with everyone else except, too often, ourselves?  Are you a comfortable fit, for you?

How often in the work place, are you evaluated for your performance?  Many of those evaluations determine, or at least help determine a pay raise.  Maybe a promotion.  You are evaluated by, a minority of the constituency because, when it’s all over, the only thing directly from you on that evaluation, is your signature. Better luck next time.

Where, and when are the most fantastic improvements made? 

People are unique, and won’t necessarily end up at the intended destination with an absolute, prescribed course to re-write something already embedded.  An excellent Corporate Manager knows how to uniquely apply the corporate cookie cutter for each of their employees.

In the work place, the best managers bring their employees to the intended destination by, allowing each employee’s participation in a review.  That is what separates the excellent from the good.  ‘What do you think you did well, and possibly could improve upon?’

In the quote above, the manager asked the employee to self evaluate.  The Manager was asking, how, within your personality make-up can you help this employer. 

A good to average Manager would be surprised how, brutally honest an employee would be on their own review.  An excellent Manager already knows, and the excellent Manager knows each of the individuals, and their characteristics under their jurisdiction.

 So, why is it, Managers in work places are willing to give but, forget that receiving is part of the equation? Receive information about your individual employees from, your individual employees.  How can each of these unique individuals contribute the most to the work place?  Each of those workers are willing to teach you.

Have them be involved with their own development as only they can uniquely contribute. Give employees the opportunity to directly participate in self-management.

Now, everybody involved is, important.  Average Managers become excellent.  Good Employees become the best.  The combined effort of all involved seals a much greater chance of success for all concerned.

A review in the work place is typically a critique, and a plan of improvement.  Instead, it should be a review of improvements made, and how, and what the employee would like to achieve going forward. Most of that should be directly from the employee.

Where did all of this, start?  I’m fortunate.  I have an excellent Manager on the job.

 

I Lost It

I lost it, big time, yesterday!  Anger!

Arrived at work, and noticed the office door, shut.  I asked what was going on, and found out the Manager was on another conference call.  Those typical conference calls are usually filled with a ‘rattling the cage’ attitude from the upper echelon.  All done with a smile well, perhaps a grimace disguised as a smile.  They do try, so I’m told.  In any case, these calls can be tough as, they are usually lengthy, and to the point.

I’m shown the latest from corporate.  All cashiers drawers designed like a pencil box for second graders with precise directions as to where, in the drawer a pen is placed, post-its, etc., and several other items.  This got to the lowest within me.

It was just last week, they visited the store saying, they were easing up on mini-micro-managing, handing more back to the local managers.  At that time, I’m thinking….good, they’re beginning to see their way to success.

I’m thinking how, happy I was last week that, they have finally gained an insight.  Today, the arrival of the pencil box.

I knew my manager was on the call, and when he got to the floor he would need a little time.  He’s very good with his employees so,  it might be my turn to give a little room, and some time.  I gave a few minutes then, approached him with a request for venting time. 

Several minutes later, he is ready for my ‘venting.’  I reiterated my feelings.  ‘They actually paid someone money for this pencil box design!  Someone who doesn’t bring a dime in to the bottom line!  This is their focus when, we need them to focus on bringing competitively priced, good products in to the store at good margins, and increasing customer base.’ 

My manager empathized with me but, also reminded me, corporate management would ultimately make  these decisions, and asked that I shift my focus back to a successful sales day.

He was right.  What could I do about a pencil box design?  It wasn’t really the pencil box but, rather a fragmented, mixed message about micro-managing which provoked my feelings.  I really want this company to be successful.

The venting was over.  I got to tell someone how I felt.  I did, exactly as the manager asked.  Re-shifted my focus, and had a very successful sales day.

I lost it.  Now, I have it back. I’m not punishing myself for having a human reaction.  I dealt with it, and I’ve reconciled.

Today, I feel happy.  I’m focused for another successful sales day.  My family.  My friends.  A Cubs victory in the World Series.  And, yes, the company I get to work for, every day.

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Singing For My Supper

In years gone by, I got to play out my employment dream as a radio disc-jockey but, who would have thought, I would still be in show-biz?

I never thought, I’d still be entertaining, and getting paid.  It’s not bad money, considering I play to very exclusive, small, cozy audiences.  Sometimes as few as five people, sometimes a dozen or, more.

Don’t have to go at night or, even the week-ends unless, there’s a no-show, and I fill in the vacancy.

You wouldn’t recognize me by, name or, sight.  I am however, recognized within the locale by, quite a few satisfied people who, return for a second or, even third time, and more.  Very loyal audience.

While the initial showing is, in person, parts are rebroadcast over the radio.

I have to admit my comedic skills are very good when, the reaction is; ‘That is so bad…..’  I cannot help my verbal affair with puns.  My Dad’s fault, really but, I can’t help myself.  It’s paid off for me in a rather weird way.  I’m looking for the ‘…so bad’  comment which is a successful sign of flattery when, it comes to punning.  The worst, the better!

I am more than just, a comedian.  I sing, too!  I know I must be relatively good.  At least that good.  My co-workers keep repeating my name with an exclamation point whenever I open the mic.

So, today I’ll arrive, grab my radio, and mic for another work day.

There will be statements from the audience like, ‘I need one of these,’ as they show me something they have in hand.  I’m usually bewildered because, they only need one, they have it, already, and what does that have to do with me?  Don’t they understand, I’m a locally-renowned, entertainer?

Sometimes, I’m asked for a price on something, they’d like to have as their own.  ‘I don’t know….’how about, under a thousand?!’  Smiles, laughter, etc.

I’m just saying if, you ignore the retail environment, I still make my living in show-biz.  A job is what you make of it.  You can dread it or, use your imagination when necessary, and enjoy it.

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