This is going to be a gripey blog, so if you are having a good day, skip it.
I got up this morning and everything seemed good. I walked outside to see the most glorious sunrise. It was all pink and gold. Beautiful!! I thanked God for such a gift and prayed for the safety of my youngest who is away at camp. All was good in the world.
I walked in to work and paid some bills. Not a fun thing to do, but good to get off my list before the day started. I kept noticing it getting later and later and the rest of the office was still dark. By 8 minutes til 8 (when we open the front door) the first staff arrives. Now, I know I should be thankful, but since I made a decree a month ago that we would have a morning meeting at 7:45 the fact that nobody shows up until after that time gets under my skin.
A month ago we had a couple of patients come without taking their medicine, a couple of missed lab cases and it seemed the office was falling apart. So, I took matters into my own hands, and made up a Morning Meeting Sheet and assigned each staff member about three things to get ready for the meeting the next morning. ONLY ONE PERSON IS COMPLETING THEIR SHEET! AND NOBODY IS SHOWING UP FOR THE MEETING! UGH!!!
I know, I know, I’m the boss and I should just take charge and quit whining. I am not a confrontational person. I have a tendency to hold it all inside. I just expect people to do their jobs. Today, when I ran the meeting AGAIN, I said very calmly “I have assigned sheets for morning meeting to be held at 7:45 am. It is not my responsibility to run the meeting or call the meeting. When all of you decide to get it together for Thursday call me, I will be in my office.” And I walked out.
What should I do if it doesn’t happen again Thursday? Please give me advice…
8 Comments
August 5, 2008 at 8:46 am
Kamala,
FIRE THEM. And I am dead serious. If you can’t do it, I’ll come do it.
August 5, 2008 at 9:01 am
A very wise man I once worked for advised me to ask myself this question before terminating someone: “did I do everything necessary to make them a better employee?” He said good management is a bit like parenting, to achieve the desired behavior you have to demonstrate exactly what it is you want from them. Otherwise, you’re sending them back out into the workplace to become someone else’s problem and you run the risk of getting the same type of employee(s) again. I know it sounds like a bunch of Indian chief jibberish but it’s always worked for me.
August 5, 2008 at 10:29 am
Zak,
I may take you up on it one of these days. Be careful what you say…
I love you man.
August 5, 2008 at 10:30 am
Steve,
So, when do you stop rehabilitating and decide enough is enough?
August 5, 2008 at 10:47 am
I lead by example as much as possible but with certain individuals, there just isn’t enough motivation to try to do their best at any job they tackle.
My pediatric dentist buddy just told me that he fired his entire staff, hired new staff and is much, much happier and less stressed. He said that he had had enough of the “drama”.
August 5, 2008 at 11:49 am
In my opinion if the effort is there and mistakes are being made, then that can probably be corrected. But if it’s pure laziness and a refusal to follow instructions… well then… SAYONARA!!!
September 22, 2008 at 7:26 pm
Kamala,
I am sad for you that you are frustrated and can’t cheer up yet. Maybe you should blog that you are happy and can’t stop smiling……..
October 6, 2008 at 10:48 am
Are you ever going to write another blog????
Love ya!