Category Archives: Think
The sign’s on the wall
How clear is your message?
Just because the words are clear, or the images on signs are crisp, does not mean the message is easily understood.
I found this sign on the wall outside Cadbury’s factory in Dunedin (NZ), there were no other signs around it. I can only assume that it is some form of assembly point, but for who?
The lesson is, never assume that people will understand.
Like this:
The need for contemplation
As I start this new day I take a few moments just to think, contemplate, meditate, pray and take time to allow my thoughts to settle.
It is my cave (or quiet) time, where nothing matters apart from stillness of the heart and mind. I can sit and watch the world go by without participating in its busy-ness. Sometimes I think about the work I must do, but, the most important thing I do is to just sit and in quiet contemplation just allow myself to listen.
Contemplation, meditation and prayer, to me, are much more about spending time listening than about the process or method or in the case of prayer, speaking or asking for things. When we sit and listen we discover many things about ourselves. Some are good some are not so good, but it is always for us to be encouraged about something or challenged to work on other things or even just to be a peace for a short time in our busy world.
Whether you are a Christian, as I am, or have another faith or even no faith at all, let me encourage you to practice the art of just “being”, sitting for a few moments everyday in quietness just to listen. You will be amazed at what you will discover.
Like this:
Poor Management Culture
I have recently read an article re-published by Manufacturing NZ (a part of Business NZ) with the title of “Three types of people to fire immediately“.
It would have to be one of the most appalling articles on how to manage staff I have seen. To suggest you should immediately fire an employee because they disagree with you or have their own opinion, is not only poor management practice, but in NZ would leave the employer open to a personal grievance case being lodged against them.
To have this practice endorsed by a supposedly leading business organisation reveals how deep-seated bullying behaviour is in some organisations.
I note that on the page where that article is posted there is no legal disclaimer, so could they be held responsible if someone just followed what was proposed there?
There are ways to manage/lead difficult people and doing it well can win loyal staff out of strong objectors. Even if you can not win them over you can not, in any way, sense or form, just dismiss them on the spot. There is a formal procedure to follow to manage staff performance and in New Zealand the Department of Labour has clear guidelines to follow. The Department of Labour also operates under the guiding principles of good faith, good reason and fair process. Get it wrong as an employer, prepare to face the Department of Labour for mediation or legal action.
My advice to you if you have difficulties with staff is this… Follow the Department of Labours guidelines if you don’t know what they are call them 0800 20 90 20 (in NZ) … get independent assistance, get legal advice, be honest, factual, objective, tactful, allow time to think (for yourself and the employee) before decisions are made, allow for the employee to also have representation(support or legal) at any meetings. At all times respect the staff member there is no excuse for putting undue pressure on someone to resign, in fact this could also lead to personal grievance case to be laid.
There is no place for bullying in the workplace from peers or from employers.
Paul S Allen
Please note my disclaimer on this page as well
The information supplied here is not meant to replace professional legal, financial or health advice. By using this information supplied you acknowledge that it is done at your own personal, legal and financial risk.
And
The information and comments on this site do not necessarily reflect the views of any organisation that I am employed by or that I am associated with.
