People to Fire Immediately...

[silverback]

In the past I have worked with all of the kinds of people mentioned by the author. In hindsight, if we had fired everyone who fell into those 3 categories, we would not have had anyone working there. To have a workforce of people who had no objections or differing opinions on better ways to do things is nearly impossible. A workforce of always happy, highly motivated, agreeable, imaginative, cooperative people is also impossible. imo

Some of the crankiest, bitchiest, worst people you could ever stand to be around were sometimes the ones that would go to the end of the earth if it needed to be done. Then when it was done they would curse you out all over again and then deliver time after time. According to this author we should have fired them.

[TOM4CWB]

Silverback,

It takes all kinds to make the world go around!

Ideas are interesting.... but it is the implementation of ideas... that really matters!

If we all were the same... it would be a boring world!

[sumdumguy]

Tom, I happen to have a few decades of
experience as the spoke in the eheel and the
steering wheel and I disagree with you. a good
manager surrounds himself with education and
experience. Some people are unhappy because
inept managers surround themselves with
lapdogs and the quality of work is reflected on
the whole group. Use the strengths of your
employees. It takes some effort on your part, but
you will see results and high morale.

Managing can be much simpler if you engage
people in the know who arent continually making
errors and too complacent to care.

[sumdumguy]

A good managers see the positive in his
employees and uses these strengths to his
advantage. If you surround yourself with losers,
thats all you will have left because good
employees will drift away. If you are heavy
handed and despotic, no one will respect you.

Hate to say it, but you sound pretty tough to work
for. Are you hard-nosed Tom. Sounds like you
are pretty used to having your way. I dont mean
to be disrepectful, but I had to say it.

[silverback]

A business will easily fail when its manager fails to listen to the opinions or ideas of the employees he has hired. A manager who has gone to the work of hiring good people with good skills and then doesn't allow them to feel like they contribute to the job, can easily force them into one of those 3 categories.

[sumdumguy]

Silverback, you are bang on. It's kind of like
marriage. If you cant see the value of listening
and seeing the signs, your marriage will turn into
miserable failure.

I think a lot of failed marriages are caused by not
looking for strengths. Sometimes people should
fire themselves because they are poor managers.

[TOM4CWB]

I am still amused... did you read this?

'We Deserve the team we get'

"So, what are the takeaways?

The biggest one is this: Whether you are a happy or unhappy worker, a good or bad manager, an enlightened or naïve leader, you deserve the team you get.
Said differently, we all play a role in what our teams and companies become.
We must choose to take control of the results or risk making ourselves victims of the situation.
Either way, we must live with the results of our choices."

[silverback]

I find it amusing how easy it is that this author and his consulting team could sit up on their high horse and make blanket statements about figuring who might make it to the 3 slots and fire them on the spot. I would think if someone wants to hire a workforce consultant, they might want to instead find someone who has the ability to turn the 3 placeholders into someone with more motivation and drive, or to figure out what is making them feel less than valued in their position.

(and no I don't mean a bunch of feel good kumbya stuff)

[TOM4CWB]

sumdumguy and Silverback...

Now I think you guys are starting to get it!!!

Those calling the shots... have the most responsibility to change... and rid themselves (get rid of or 'fire' that old habit) if they plan on innovation and increased productivity.

We get EXACTLY the result we plan for... and deserve... it does not matter if it is: Human Resourses... Risk Management... Production decisions... or estate planning.

The only people we are truly responsible for changing... is ourselves (which includes our plans and expectations)... that has not changed.

[TOM4CWB]

OK... now time to link these articles back into who we choose/hire/fire as our Marketing Partners!?

From this perspective... who do you plan to hire or fire in 2012???