More on Control

I wrote a post regarding the propensity of managers to change schedules and do other little things to feel like they are in control of their demading environments. Another theme in control is power. Those of us in managerial roles feel the pressure of authority and realize that there enjoyable benefits and pitfalls to avoid. In the case of those without some level of authority, there is still an interest in control. Some manifest their need at work. We have all met the long term admin that functions as a gatekeeper worthy of keeping the keys to heaven from all comers. Their boss has no idea the subversive evil they wreak on anyone they don't like. My personal favorite is the hourly employee that comes up to a manager 3 layers up, demands their number and announces that they know a VP as their first introduction. In very short order, you find out that this person should have been gone long ago, but apparently her bravado and threats have worked on her bosses. She struts around with her self important belief that knowing someone makes her powerful. The last example is the employee that violates policy multiple times, but the boss is more passive than aggressive. They put a lot of notes in a folder, and the employee cries fowl to get control over their employee file/corporate identity. They win and get a taste of power. Now the fun begins, they decide there is free reign on violating policy, but the company is nervous. There are a few more violations than the usual progression before the inevitable job loss. Rarely does the owner of this type of control stop short of ending their employment relationship for cause. Regardless of the control tactic, these are destructive behaviors that negatively effect business. Okay, you are probably already thinking of how to better manager each of these folks and others. Just like most things in business, this isn't rocket science. Pay attention to what the people working for you are doing. Assistants are awesome, but they are not you. Don't let them make decisions for you. Next, educate the managers that work for you and expect them to handle accountability correctly. This prevents the power grab from employees with actual or perceived connections or those that find the managers weakness to exploit it. Rehabilitation for the employees that have already tasted negative control is tricky. Be ready to hold them formally accountable and sever ties if needed.

Supreme Court Roundup

The Supreme Court has found a place in the spotlight lately. I'm fond of the decision regarding gun ownership in Chicago, but the Kagan hearings have a great "goat rodeo" feel. Let's talk guns for a few minutes. It is a shame that the group that is responsible for enforcing Constitutional law could only manage a 5-4 decision supporting the 2nd amendment. Even better is the reasoning for the decision, besides being a scintillating 26 page bathroom read. Of all things, it turns out that the Freedman's rights affirmed in writing after the Civil War specifically mentioned their right to keep and bear arms to protect themselves from individuals desiring to propagate slavery by force. Based on the demographic of Illinois, this should play well with the voters. Of course the government of the great state of Illinois, is already looking for ways to make the cost prohibitive and restrict their citizenry to single-shot muskets and revolvers. Didn't our forefathers create the second amendment to prevent our government from out-gunning us in a dispute? Balance of powers does not just cover the three branches of government, but also our human rights as individual members of this democratic republic. Our founding fathers charged us with eternal vigilance in protecting this noble enterprise of government of the people, by the people and for the people. Instead, the vast and varied people of the United States of America have chosen to pursue their rugged individualism right into the entitlement hand out line, trading their personal freedoms and those of their neighbors for tax breaks, free insurance and vengeance against the corporations that pay their wages. Thanks to our Judiciary for managing to find 5 people that can read some portion of the Constitution and subsequent guidance regarding how to use it. The people of Chicago are eager to purchase their carbines and snubnose .38s.

The Master

I saw a landscape painted of a glorious ocean view
Sunshine over crystal waters, bright on morning dew
The artist for years had labored to create for me this hour
But I have seen the master as he tenderly paints the flower
Penciling snowflakes in season
Chalking the dawn's pastel
Yes, I have seen the master, hands outstretched to man
Crying over his children, weeping over lands

Marti Nelson
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Commutes by Title

Let's explore one more fallacy of moving up in our careers. It is the idea that better titles give more control over time. As a facility manager there are some late nights, but you sleep in your own bed with the same commute every day. You travel very rarely. As a distict manager, you get a car. That is because you could have upwards of 1/2 a days commute and may sometimes have to forego sleeping at home. The regional manager gets a car, blackberry, and laptop. Standard commute is over two hours with a mandatory stay over "option" to allow thorough butt kickings based on the condition of your faciliities. Please note, some commutes increase due to non-existent relo packages in a bad economy or the wretched stubborness of the manager regarding relocation. Then there are the directors. The commutes extend as far as mainland China. One of my best friends has a Midwest to Poland, then Wales commute for the next two weeks. Wow, I bet Poland is pretty this time of the year! That is quintessential description of career progression. No cushy, home by 5:15pm days. It is no wonder that these folks occasionally work from home. Do all of those field managers a favor and quit whining about their home office days. It is probably the first time they sat on their own couch in a month.
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Texting Encouraged

Last week I enjoyed a great surprise. My first week at a new job that involved valuable high level information and time to get to know new colleagues. Having been in high volume, viciously cost conscious retail jobs, I really wasn't sure what would be allowed. Amazingly, we received our consumer electronics alotment during our visit, as well. One of my colleagues sent me a text and my stomach tightened. I was sure that there would be some prohibition on spending money to text. Once again, I was totally surprised. The boss encourages texting. Cool. Now, I can keep up with my HR colleagues and send quick warnings to the operators when the execs show up. By the end of the week, I connected with a member of the talent acquisition team that uses Linked In and Twitter to develop our employment brand. It means a lot to work for a company that allows more freedom in media and expression. Professionalism is expected and you get a lot more ways to demonstrate it.

Father's Day - Gifts from another Generation

Everyone is talking about it in the blogs and on the social sites. My Dad is a good guy and worked really hard to take care of us and our Mom. He expected the truth, told the truth, and taught us to look for the truth. He even taught us that truth is subjective and requires more than our internal compass to be divined. I don't think Dad set out to be sage or impart any great wisdom. He emphasized practicality and a friendly respect for others, no matter what they looked like or where they lived. The more I think about Dad, the more I see the beauty of what I learned from him. I also become more disappointed in my failure to better conform to it. I see greater benefit in a simpler approach and the protection it provides. Happy Father's Day to the Dad's out there and to the memories of Dad's that make their children better.

Everything Old is New Again

These are interesting times. People are actually saving up to buy things. They talk about growing gardens, putting up preserves and even hunting to get back to simpler days and cheaper living. Corporate America continues to evolve and tout their "changes". Anyone remember hearing about an ancient dude named Aristotle? He was a philosopher, teacher and writer in ancient Greece. Aristotle wrote a book on Ethics way before Shakespeare wrote plays on violating them. It is a shame that companies are obligated to write a code of ethics that must be signed and updated regularly. It seems that the return to traditional values and behaviors has left something behind, but then again Ethics might just be all Greek to them.