I used to have a supervisor who would start every team meeting by making us sit in a circle and then go around and say something positive that happened that day. At the time, ten years ago, I thought this guy was a dork. Being resourceful and something of an actress, I was always able to come up with something or just make something up and make it seem convincingly true. Today, I am a supervisor of a team of twelve who all have their own unique quirks and personality malfunctions. Those quirks and malfunctions sometimes bring on the most delightful drama. I say 'delightful' because after a very long time on this job I have become remarkably un-chuffed about just about anything. I do, however, have to keep the peace and give the place an air of fairness so I have resorted to the previously thought dorkiness of getting them to say something positive. It's sounds so trite but actually it works.
It works on two levels. First, there are always those Polly Perky's who see everything in a positive light. Frankly, they irritate me but they have their place too. They will always be at the ready to share some little ray of sunshine with the group and top it all off with an excited, wide smile. They hold the high end of the work place jump rope, always remembering birthdays and anniversaries and marking them with just the appropriate gift. They always have full candy dishes on their desks and they are always willing to participate in anything which, though irritatingly perky, does set a good example for the other not-so-perky members of the crew. Those Grouchy Monkeys comprise the second level of this connection. Everyone has experienced the presence of the constant complainer on the job. These are the people who, no matter what happens, always suspect it happened for some undisclosed reason that will only mean more work for them or, in the end, complete doom. They come to meetings already having taken the time to spread ample rumors as to what will be discussed and whatever they think it is, it is always something horrible. They hold the low end of the jump rope and are rarely willing to participate in anything. In fact, to get them to take part it has to be practically mandated by the CEO as a condition of their on-going employment.
The reasoning behind getting these two groups together, in one room, and making them start off by saying something positive is pretty easy to see. The Perkys will jump right in and probably have more than one positive statement to contribute. The Monkeys will hold back, start talking begrudgingly but, eventually, will also begin to open up. Exactly what they say really doesn't matter though it can help if a Perky says something positive about a Monkey. That will bring even the most determined Monkey around in no time. It is, rather, the mere act of speaking at all that counts. Once people get talking it's hard for them to easily pull back into skulking mode.
Of course, there are Monkeys who will never come around. They will stand there ground and continue undermining the general atmosphere of the place. In those cases, the best practice may be a swift and sincere "You're fired."
It works on two levels. First, there are always those Polly Perky's who see everything in a positive light. Frankly, they irritate me but they have their place too. They will always be at the ready to share some little ray of sunshine with the group and top it all off with an excited, wide smile. They hold the high end of the work place jump rope, always remembering birthdays and anniversaries and marking them with just the appropriate gift. They always have full candy dishes on their desks and they are always willing to participate in anything which, though irritatingly perky, does set a good example for the other not-so-perky members of the crew. Those Grouchy Monkeys comprise the second level of this connection. Everyone has experienced the presence of the constant complainer on the job. These are the people who, no matter what happens, always suspect it happened for some undisclosed reason that will only mean more work for them or, in the end, complete doom. They come to meetings already having taken the time to spread ample rumors as to what will be discussed and whatever they think it is, it is always something horrible. They hold the low end of the jump rope and are rarely willing to participate in anything. In fact, to get them to take part it has to be practically mandated by the CEO as a condition of their on-going employment.
The reasoning behind getting these two groups together, in one room, and making them start off by saying something positive is pretty easy to see. The Perkys will jump right in and probably have more than one positive statement to contribute. The Monkeys will hold back, start talking begrudgingly but, eventually, will also begin to open up. Exactly what they say really doesn't matter though it can help if a Perky says something positive about a Monkey. That will bring even the most determined Monkey around in no time. It is, rather, the mere act of speaking at all that counts. Once people get talking it's hard for them to easily pull back into skulking mode.
Of course, there are Monkeys who will never come around. They will stand there ground and continue undermining the general atmosphere of the place. In those cases, the best practice may be a swift and sincere "You're fired."
