July 2007

In this Issue:

• Feature Article: Personality and Employee Morale
• Intentions: for Leader, People, Free Spirit & Task Type Personalities

Personality and Employee Morale

I ran into a former client the other day. He had lots to say about his current employer; unfortunately, not much was good. This company changes managers as quickly as some people change shoes. None get any kind of management training. Apparently they feel they don't need it. Many of the other employees I have spoken to in this company seem to share the same negative view of management.

This gentleman has been in both sales and management positions with his company. He prefers sales at this point, because he does not have to share office space and be hounded by current management. He is a top notch salesperson because he truly cares about his customers. He is respected by customers because he does whatever it takes to make them happy and to keep their business. Unfortunately, in the past few years, that has meant cleaning up messes made by incompetent managers, who were in and out for a couple years, and never really took the time to understand the area, their customers, or their sales force.

In any event, his major complaint as we spoke was that his current manager had called him on the phone to give him his review. The last manager just emailed it, so this was an improvement. Unfortunately though, this manager apparently had not taken the time to keep up with leadership development. His comments were 100% critical and negative! He did not mention one positive behavior. I was surprised, because I know how this particular employee works to get budgets and expenses in on time, how he spends many extra hours helping customers solve problems, and how he even makes extra trips to locations that are not in his territory if his expertise is needed. But none of his positive, customer retaining qualities were mentioned. I doubt this particular manager even noticed them. All he knew how to do was find fault and criticize.

Most of you reading this are aware of the need for good people skills. You know that positive management practices stress support, praise, positive and constructive coaching when needed, and fairness. You may have heard me mention that the number one reason that employees leave companies, according to a national human resources study, is "management dissatisfaction." People leave because of the people, not the job. Constant criticism and the inability of management to recognize positive traits, leads to low morale, discouragement, and poor retention. Employee morale directly impacts performance and productivity. Poor productivity erodes profits and destroys organizational culture.

As we finished talking and departed, I humorously suggested that he pick up an interesting little book by Robert Sutton, PhD, titled The No Asshole Rule. If you are dealing with similarly difficult people in your workplace, whether they are employees or managers, check it out.

Personal Intentions for the month of July

LEADER INTENTION

• I am confident and I know exactly where I am going. I move forward with little hesitation.



• Sometimes, I do not see the impact of my behavior on others. I expect everyone to fall into step or move out of my way.Now I realize that my direction and confidence are aspects of one type of personality. Not everyone thinks and feels like me, and that is OK.



• Today, I will be more aware. I will notice the impact my actions and words have on others. I will be more positive and less critical. I intend to respect the differences and individuality of family, friends and coworkers.

PEOPLE INTENTION

• I do not want others to think I am "touchy." The fact is, though, I do tend to be sensitive, and do take offense at times.



• Sometimes, my head says that I should just ignore it, but I feel hurt and think about it for hours. Sometimes I ruminate for days. My productivity plummets. I get in a bad mood. I feel angry.



• Now, I realize that my sensitivity needs to be managed. It is a fine line between whether the incident is worthy of a response or not. I need to take care of myself, but I also need to utilize both my rational thinking and my emotions to determine the appropriate reaction. I do not want to have a 50-dollar reaction to a 50-cent event.



• Today I intend to use both my mind and my emotions to take care of myself appropriately and assertively.

FREE SPIRIT INTENTION

• I like to have fun and I enjoy a sense of humor. I try to be funny whenever an opportunity arises.



• Sometimes, I judge others who are shy, quiet, or who appear "too serious." I find it difficult to have fun with someone who does not respond in the way I am comfortable with.



• Now, I realize that the different personalities respond and relate differently, and my way is no more "right" than any other.



• Today, I intend to be less judgmental. I will practice communicating in ways that respect different personalities. Today I intend to appreciate and enjoy every person I come into contact with.

TASK INTENTION

• I like things to be predictable. I don't like schedule changes, or impulsive, last minute decisions. When I do, life starts feeling out of control.



• Sometimes, I tend to be a "stick-in-the-mud" when friends or family want to make changes or do things spontaneously.



• Now, I realize that change is hard for me and I need to learn to accept and adjust to change. I cannot control all of the changes that may happen, and some change is positive.



• Today, I intend to be more conscious of change and do what it takes to be more open and accepting. I may even initiate some change on my own. I intend to develop the ability to accept change and be more flexible.

SUCCESS. . .

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