LM, Episode 568, 6/21/21, The Pit of Dispair
Have you ever had a job you hated? Hopefully, it’s not the one you had now.
I was hired to be the CFO of a rehab hospital in Kansas City, it was the most money I ever made, Twyla and I have family in Kansas City, the kids would go to great schools, it was perfect. Longest 10 months of my life.
I hated this place, but I had plenty of company. The HR director said she got sick to her stomach every morning thinking about recruiting good people to such an awful place. Every morning on the way to her office, the Director of Nurses would poke her head in my office, saying, “I’m taking the walk of death.”
This was an awful place. It was owned by a company who cared more about profits than employees and patients. Who thought the only way to motivate employees was to scream, “If you don’t get this done, I’ll find someone else who will.”
I was working 60+ hours a week when Dennis at corporate calls me about something he thought should have been done according to his unrealistic time schedule, yelling, “If you don’t get this done, I’ll find someone else who will.”
I know you’ll find this hard to believe, but when I’m tired, I get sarcastic. I say, “When?”
Dennis was speechless. Finally he asks, “What.”
“Dennis, you just threatened to fire me. I am working 60 hours a week doing everything I can. If you think you can find someone to do better, fire me now, but don’t ever threaten me again.”
Like all bullies, Dennis backed down and we never had another crossword. But that company couldn’t see how their bullying hurt their business. Productivity suffered because people spent an inordinate amount of time complaining about the place, creativity was non-existent because people were afraid to make a mistake. Their best employees left, because, as Travis Bradberry says, people don’t leave a job, they leave a boss.
Regardless if it’s you or another manager, bullying is hurting your business. Eliminate it or suffer the consequences of reduced profits.
Have a great week and always remember laughter matters.
Comentarios