Why Do You Wait To Improve ?

In my current role, one of my least favorite things that has to be done is a thing called Performance Management, or PM for short.  I am sure almost every company has this kind of process that their managers or supervisors have to do.  Results are tracked and reviewed over a specified period of time and if improvements are not made (presuming goals are already not being met) then the supervisor has to manage that performance (see: discuss with and/or write-up or even fire the employee).

Progressive has a very accomodating PM process, wherein people are given multiple opportunites to improve, and are provided with coaching on how to make these improvements.  There are technically 5 steps of PM, but even the first step doesn't occur until a pattern of poor performance is indicated in the reviewed results.  A completely fictitious example will illustrate what I mean.  Feel free to skip this next paragraph if you already get it.

Employee X has an objective that requires them to produce 10 widgets per month.  In month One, they produce only 4 widgets.  In month Two, they also only produce 4 widgets.  At this point, a "Discussion" is held between the Manager and X, wherein X is advised their performance is not up to standard.  In month Three, X produces 5 widgets, an improvement but nowhere near the expectation.  Now the Manager provides X with a "Documented Warning" reminding them that immediate and substantial improvement is needed.  In month Four, X produces 6 widgets, still an improvement but still well short of the goal.  The Manager now provides X with a "Written Warning" with the same coaching and serious tone, but now this document becomes part of X's permanent file.  In month Five, X produces 4 widgets, still not at the goal and not even improved any longer.  The Manager provides a "Final Written Warning" which basically reminds X that failure to improve again will likely lead to the final step, "Termination" of employment.

Here's my beef about why I dislike this so very, very much.

There are two reasons ...

First, the paperwork involved to move Employee X to each next step is so time consuming.  It is boring.  It is arguably a waste of time (shouldn't the manager be coaching and leading instead of filling out paperwork?)  And if the employee just made improvement after the first "Discussion" it would be unnecessary.

Second, Employee X will often wait until the Written Warning stage before making sincere efforts to improve.  Worse yet, after the improvements are finally made, Employee X will often complain "why did you have to make such a big deal out of this?!  why couldn't you just tell me it was important earlier on?!  why am I getting written up for this without having any time to improve?!"

Seriously?!

If you listened to me when I first advised you of the issue or concern, then we would never have to have more serious discussions.  But your choice to wait to improve kept us on this path longer than either of us wanted to be here.  Stop waiting.  Just make improvements after the first chat.  Please.

Song Of The Day:
Jack Johnson's music always mellows me out, especially when I'm in one of those frustrated-at-other-people moods.  His song "Sitting, Waiting, Wishing" reminds me of these employees who choose to sit (instead of make changes), wait for next steps, and wish (after the conversation) that they didn't happen.  Many of the words from the song are applicable to this post as well ... "must I always be playin' ... playin' the fool?"

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Tucked Or Untucked ?

There are clearly more than just two kinds of people in the world, but I think most folks fall into primarily one of these two categories:
 - people who tuck their shirts IN
 - people who prefer to leave their shirts UNtucked

I tend to be a shirt-tucked-in kind of guy.  I'm not sure why, but there is something comfortable about having your shirt not flapping around all over.  I think it looks nicer and more presentable in most circumstances too.  That said, there are some obvious exceptions ... while playing sports, while working in the yard, and in general, anytime I'm wearing t-shirts just around the house.

My buddy Kevin is definitely a untucked-shirt kind of guy.  But he is in the military and 99% of the time has to be in very proper dress code attire, so I respect his stance on the issue.


Song Of The Day:
The instrumental song "Ain't Misbehavin' " by Harry James works well for today's post.  It's not misbehavior to wear your shirt untucked, but it does seem to show respect for people around you when you choose to tuck it in.

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Who Got MY Food ?

This isn't a picture of MY food
but it sure was tasty!  :)

Today I bought a cheap lunch at Carl's Jr.: Two .99 cent spicy chicken sandwiches.  I paid the drive-thru lady and then took my bag of food.

It wasn't until I was back at work that I opened the bag and realized ... this is NOT what I ordered, nor is it what I paid for.

The very silver lining here is that it was a Big Carl burger and a large order of fries.  Now I have been on the receiving end of getting the wrong food before, but it is usually NOT in my benefit.

Many thoughts hit me at once ... I should drive back and return this food (but then, they'll just have to throw it away at this point AND make me two new chicken sandwiches) ... I am sure the other person checked their bag and got their Big Carl burger and fries exchanged for the cheap chicken ... am I being a jerk if I just eat this meal? ... what would Jesus do? ... surely they would just throw away this food so I'm actually saving them money and trouble by just eating what they gave me right?! ... I mean it's not my fault the drive-thru lady didn't check the bag before handing it to me ... I wonder if she did it on purpose ... maybe she knew I was hungrier than those little chicken snacks and just 'hooked me up' ... maybe the guy who ordered them was kind of a jerk ... how do I know it was a guy?! ... I don't have time to drive back and return this food ... man those fries smell good ...

And so ... at length ... I enjoyed my 'bonus lunch' which was very filling and much better than what I ordered.  Thanks KARMA for taking care of me today!  :)

Song Of The Day:
One of Culture Club's biggest hits was "Karma Chameleon" which is about neither karma nor chameleons.  But it's a catchy tune and the line "I'm a man without conviction" certainly applies here today.  :)

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When Is It Time To Step Away ?

I have spent roughly the past three years as part of a committee at work.  I originally joined this group, when it was first formed, because I was passionate about the agenda we were going to focus on.  I wanted to help establish a group of people that could promote education around this initiative.  I wanted to ensure that the right messages were meeting the right people.  I wanted to be a part of something bigger than myself but be able to make an individual contribution.

Over time, the group expanded to include new members, with some people stepping away for a variety of reasons.  I took on a bigger role in organizing the efforts of this group and was happy to do so.  We planned and facilitated an obscene amount of things: training courses for employees, discussion forums, open meet and greet events.  We partnered with groups outside of our work area.  We won some awards and recognition for our efforts, which allowed us to influence more people in a positive manner.  It was nothing short of everything I had hoped it could become.

But ... over the past year, I have found myself struggling to put forth the time and effort that this project is deserving of.  My passion was waning.

After much thought, I decided to step away from the group for at least a little while.  This came as a huge shock to many of my peers in the group, several of whom had begun to rely on my leadership and 'expertise' in this endeavor.  I could sense disappointment from many people, but I also felt supported in my decision, which meant the world to me.  In fact, that support convinced me to bring about one more change in the group, which will allow me to stay connected with much less time commitment.

Song Of The Day:
The first line from Foreigner's big hit "I Wanna Know What Love Is" is the reason it is featured with this post.  "I've got to take a little time, a little time to think things over."  We often rush through life so quickly that we just do things instead of reflecting on whether or not we want or need to do them.  When we take a little time to think things over we allow ourselves to make good decisions and feel good about them.

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What Is Your Blog About ?

A friend of mine from work, recently began blogging.  He told me that he has enjoyed reading my posts over the years and decided that he should write one himself.  I complimented him on his decision to do so and then asked him the title of this blog post.

You see, Mark (that's my friend's name) had asked me for help on his blog.  He felt that it looked plain and wanted to know how to do different things on it, visually and functionally.  And my answer was to start with the most important question:

What are you going to be blogging about?

Why is that the most important question?  Because what your blog is about and who your audience is, determines the majority of how you set up your blog.  You will want to match your background images, sidebars, font, color, links, etc. to whatever theme you want to convey.

My blog theme is questions and that is what I am passionate about writing about.  So ...
 - I selected an open road as my background picture, because it begs the question 'where does that road lead?'
 - I phrased all of my sidebars in the form of questions.

I use certain fonts and different colors and include links and/or pictures that catch the attention of the reader because my blog is not just for me.  I try to make my posts enjoyable or interesting for almost anyone to read.  I do share personal stories and these will be a nice journal to reflect back on years down the road, but that is not my primary intent of blogging.  It is a creative outlet that I hope spurs creativity in anyone who reads it.

I am anything but an expert at this.  I know less than almost any other blogger probably does, but I am happy to share what I know.  And making sure your blog is what you want it to be is the most important thing if you want to keep at it.

Song Of The Day:
I love a good singer/songwriter and Norah Jones certainly has accomplished plenty in this category.  The title of her popular song "Don't Know Why" can certainly apply to this post.  If you don't know why you are writing your blog, then you will likely not continue doing it.  If you don't know who your audience is, then it is almost impossible to tweak it in a way you will be most proud of it.

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What Is "Fat Pockets" ?

Some people will read that blog post title and automatically try to correct my grammar ... "Josh, it should be what are fat pockets."

No, no it shouldn't.  It is written correctly.

Fat Pockets is the name of the restaurant Karen and I want to open up eventually.  Josh Jr (our oldest son) wants to be a chef, so it will give him that opportunity.  Don't be quick to judge the name choice as bad for business.  Allow me to explain the thought process here and then you be the judge.

First, a few things you need to know conceptually about Fat Pockets:
 - It will be based in a college town, preferably within walking distance from campus housing.
 - It will only be open from 8:00pm until 4:00am.
            (Yes, you read the am and pm right there).
 - It will serve terribly unhealthy, but decidedly delicious snacky foods.  In fact there will be virtually nothing 'good for you' on the menu.
 - Our slogan / advertising will be based on the phrase

"I can get as fat as I want"

Now ... think about the college experience.  Think about the late night studying or paper-writing that goes on, virtually every day.  Think about the food cravings that you have at that time of the evening.  Now, ask yourself, where do you go to fill those cravings?  The 24-hour convenience store?  Wal-Mart?  Try to beat the clock at a fast-food restaurant?

But how convenient would it be to know that you don't have to rush somewhere for that late night snack?  How nice would it be to just have a plate of cheese and crackers and pepperoni?  Or deep-fried whatever-you-can-think-of?

So what would you like to see on the menu?  Because the dish will likely be named after you (or, if you prefer, after someone that you can't stand) if you are the first to suggest it being on our menu.  Comment below or on the Facebook post of this blog and you can stake your claim to naming rights!


Song Of The Day:
This post has been in draft mode for a long time, just waiting for the right time.  Our good friends, the Amsdens (Kevin and Amy), are the inspiration for this restaurant idea.  Amy always joked about food that we eat too late at night going straight to our 'fat pockets.'  Then, on our Spring Break vacation with their family, their middle son, Derek, told me at one point "I can get as fat as I want."  Since that moment I have been thinking about this post.  Recently, Amy messaged me on Facebook with the song "I'll Be There" by the Escape Club.
What a perfect tie in for this post!  Not only will the Amsden family have to be there when Fat Pockets opens up, but college kids will be saying that to each other when planning to meet at our restaurant for a very late night snack!

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Am I Giving People Too Much Credit ?

When working with a new Manager, there is always a point in time when you just get a sense of what kind of relationship you're going to have with them.  It might be a good one or a bad one or a laugh-a-minute one or a serious one or any number of other possible kinds of interpersonal connections.  Regardless, it is always nice when you find out it's going to be a very helpful and good relationship.

Several months ago, while chatting with my current Manager we came to a mutual awareness that we assume a certain level of intellect in others based on their age/experience or position/title.  As the chat continued, we further realized that this perception is often not accurate and can actually lead to a strained relationship.  Some people are most likely just not going to learn or get smarter or better.  They either are incapable of higher thoughts or are just not interested in making improvements.  They likely 'peaked' at some point in the past and decided that they 'made it.'  But this doesn't keep them from getting older and/or even advancing their title or position at work.  The truly wise person can recognize the wisdom, or lack thereof, around themselves and work with it or around it.

It was in that relatively brief conversation that I realized I was going to have a great relationship with my current Manager.  I have no idea if she views me as one who has any wisdom, but I know that I can learn from hers.  I also know that she can be honest with me, without being rude or mean.  It would surprise most people to realize that I have low self-esteem when it comes to my leadership abilities.  This Manager has already begun to improve my confidence in myself, simply by helping me realize what I do well and helping me clearly define what I need to work on.

One example ... stop assuming people have a certain level of intellect or that they can or even want to improve.  Confirm their knowledge.  Test their ability to learn and grow.  Then spend time with those who can or really want to improve and limit your 'wasted' time with those who don't.


Song Of The Day:
In the line of thinking of age and wisdom, "As Time Goes By" sung by the great Jimmy Durante, is the pick for today.  Although the song is mainly about love, there are some phrases that can easily apply to other things, most notably ... "The fundamental things apply, as time goes by"

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