http://springpointservices.com/blog Managing Real People, Creating Good Workplaces Tue, 02 Sep 2008 18:57:34 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en   I’ve heard you talk about parenting, especially Special Ed kids, and you spoke about parents being Case Managers.   Could you explain a bit?     Shaun:   Here’s a “case” that illustrates some things of the things I’ve seen to be helpful.       Helen never thought it would get to this: thinking and feeling things about her son, and ... http://springpointservices.com/blog/parents-as-case-managers/   Diane knew going in that her brand new assignment had never been voted anyone’s “50 Best Places to Work” – but she wasn’t quite prepared for the mess she found when she got there.  Her proven ability to train and implement networking software specific to warehouse systems had given her ... http://springpointservices.com/blog/a-tough-place-to-manage/ I usually say “battlefield promotion” with my tongue in my cheek when I’m talking about managerial careers, but Jim's situation was close to being literally true.   Jim worked at one of those “quick oil change” places.  He’d taken the job in early May, right at the end of his Junior year ... http://springpointservices.com/blog/managing-hourly-employees-two-stories/ I once had a client we’ll call Phil, who came to see me because, as he put it, “Work is starting to get to me, and I’m not handling things the way I should.” He was a supervisor in a blue collar environment, mostly men, but an increasing number of ... http://springpointservices.com/blog/emotional-intelligence-meet-phil/ Dear Ray: I remember our last chat in the lobby outside the auditorium waiting for the main speaker to close out the conference. You seemed a little wistful compared to our previous encounters, and I wondered whether being up to your Adams apple in clients now is more of a cold ... http://springpointservices.com/blog/dear-ray-counsel-to-a-newbie/ Privately, I affectionately refer to people like Phil as "lunkheads," and sure, some of them do have a small dark side like the rest of us, - but still, they're mostly decent people who've embraced their "character," and are usually just looking to play out the string. Phil liked me enough to go ... http://springpointservices.com/blog/ei-meet-phil-iii/ Phil's boss wanted me to "fix" him, but what that really meant wasn't clear.   Phil had been there going on 18 years, had outlasted several management makeovers, and an ownership change. Even though there were no barriers to firing him, like a union or strict seniority policies, there was no stomach ... http://springpointservices.com/blog/emotional-intelligence-meet-phil-ii/ Not everyone takes to managing. I've seen highly competent people, responsible for big projects involving huge dollar amounts, totally fall apart when called upon to deal with a "people" problem in the workplace. Too often, they "handle" it by simply not handling it, letting it play out, then - when the ... http://springpointservices.com/blog/managing-is-not-for-sissies/ People can get really cranked up over this one!  Frankly, I'd avoid the comparison if it didn't keep coming up, and wasn't so obviously true: peoples' feelings about work colleagues - up and down the line - spring from very elemental needs -- acceptance, approval, identity, and self-preservation (among others.)  So ... http://springpointservices.com/blog/managing-and-parenting-different-but-the-same/  I spend more time than I should stating what should be basic and obvious to supervisors: don't be overly concerned about having a quick "comeback" when talking to an employee. Our culture seems to nudge people to respond instantly - no hesitation - for fear of appearing weak.   So when a supervisor ... http://springpointservices.com/blog/no-retorts-please/