Comments on: When Life Gives You Lemons, You Chop Down The Tree

By: Ric Haley

Ric Haley — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 18:30:00 +0000

Right On! Failing to communicate the problem clearly to all involved is the Managers first responsibility. As my grandmother used to say “You have to break a few eggs to make an omlette.” Deal with it quickly and privately with compassion but be direct, don’t dance around the problem. Ask the employee to enter into a contract to improve specific problems or consider other employment that is more suitable.

By: Lee Kaplanian

Lee Kaplanian — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 16:04:03 +0000

Great post Paul! Too often no one wants to take responsibility for what’s happening, it’s considered someone else’s problem. Too much emphasis of teaching to protect self esteem without tackling the problem.
As Dr. Phil would say: “How’s that working for you?”.
There are times I would rather not deal with something but I know I have to – strangely, there are times the result is very positive and unexpected. By assuming it will be difficult and there will be a very negative situation is a self fulfilling prophecy. Much of it depends on the approach to the “problem” person.

By: Dan

Dan — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 22:01:31 +0000

Paul:
I would be flattered — steal away!
Dan

By: Tracy

Tracy — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 14:39:47 +0000

Thanks Paul, I really enjoyed this one! It’s a serious thing when companies ignore their “opportunities” because they don’t want to deal with the hassle of fixing them. Been there done that.
BTW, did you know there was an Ugg Sale?

By: Jannie Funster

Jannie Funster — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 14:59:34 +0000

There are no problems, only opportunities. A good question to ask is “what can I do differently next time?”

By: Paul (from Idea Sandbox)

Paul (from Idea Sandbox) — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 07:41:44 +0000

Elizabeth -
Happy to have brightened your day. Thank you for the kind words and for taking time to leave your reaction.
Keep in touch!

By: Paul (from Idea Sandbox)

Paul (from Idea Sandbox) — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 07:38:20 +0000

Dan-
That is awesome… May I steal that?!
Thanks for commenting.

By: Elizabeth

Elizabeth — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 00:59:53 +0000

Hahaha, Paul I laughed so hard when I read beginning of this. Definitely a bright spot in my work day. I agree that if there’s a problem you’ve got to call it out, state it like it is, and then fix it. Sugar coating things only makes it worse because then it continues to fester. The best solution is to solve the problem either by fixing it or as you said “cut down the tree.” Excellent post!

By: Dan

Dan — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 19:09:20 +0000

Great post Paul.
Just imagining the crew of Apollo 13 calling in to say “Houston, we have an opportunity.”