Look around your office area or building and you will likely see many old signs, posters and cartoons. If you are in charge, work with someone or on your own to clear those up and clean off the surfaces where the items were hanging. If you aren’t in charge, ask for permssion to do some before-the-holidays clean-up.
1. After signs and posters have been in place for more than a few days they become invisible to those who have seen them repeatedly. Refreshing them now and then keeps the information fresh appearing.
2. Old information is worse than no information. If something is outdated, take it down to avoid confusion.
3. A sloppy group of signs encourages the same lack of organization elsewhere. Have the placement, organization and condition of signs be the example for how everything in the work area should appear.
4. If something is important enough to have a sign about it, it’s important enough to produce a quality appearing sign. Often signs that are handwritten were meant to be temporary or are not significant. Replace necessary signs with simply produced ones from a word processor.
5. Cartoons left taped on walls will encourage even more cartoons–some of which may not be appropriate. Professional offices do not have cartoons and so-called “funny” signs and posters in common areas.
6. Often a sign is designed to deal with a one time problem, or an ongoing problem that should be fixed, not solved merely by warning people about it. I once saw a sign in a municipal building that said, “Please do not bring dogs into the council chambers.” I asked about it and found it was put in place when a special animal code meeting was held over a year before!
7. Resist the temptation to create even more wall clutter with quotes, photos or other things that will need to be refreshed in a few weeks–unless you really want to tie up your time with that activity, and can keep the area neat.
Take it a bit at a time and don’t try to do it all in one day to avoid the appearance of being on a sign and poster vendetta. Gradually and without making a big deal of it, take things down and either toss them or refresh them. If something was clearly posted by an individual, give that person his or her sign or poster, rather than throwing it away. Explain what you are doing, to avoid bad feelings over the situation. Of such things are life-long feuds made!
Get the walls washed if that is needed–and it probably will be in some cases. Then, only replace essentials that are required to be posted and severely limit anything else. Most of the information we need is disseminated more effectively using other methods anyway. Obviously there are some events or situations where signs and posters are beneficial or fun. But even those signs should look neat and tidy while they are on the walls or bulletin board.
Next, make sign clean-up a regular activity. Otherwise, in a few weeks you’ll notice the walls have things tacked to them, a broken machine has a torn scrap of paper taped on it, and an advertisement for a class that was given two months ago will still be taking up space. Avoid sign and poster pollution!
November 30th, 2008
Posted by
TLR |
Life and Work, Supervision and Management |
6 comments
If you are responsible for stopping incorrect, inappropriate or problematic behavior or performance at work, the easiest way to do your job is to speak to the employee directly, courteously and unequivocally. Say what is happening now, what is required instead, and what action you will take if the unacceptable behavior or performance occurs again.
Ironically, many supervisors think it will make things easier if they soften their statements by laughing, joking, hinting or talking around the subject. Then, the supervisor is surprised when the employee continues to do the wrong thing. It may be because the employee doesn’t fully understand what he or she is expected to do or not do in the future. Or, the employee may not realize how serious you were about it, or figures you won’t have the courage to take more serious action.
Another side effect is a loss of respect by everyone who sees the situation. What message does it send about you, if managers, other supervisors and other employees, observe someone behaving or performing incorrectly, and knows that you are either unable or unwilling to control it or stop it?
Your approach will vary a bit based on your work situation, how long you have known the employee and other circumstances, but your remarks should be direct and absolute, as well as friendly and courteous and with a tone of positive expectations.
Words and phrases that are not effective:
“It’s no big deal, but………..”
“I don’t really mind, but some other people have said something about it……”
“Could you sort of not do that so much?”
“If you just try to do better, that’s all I can ask.”
“Watch that in the future, OK? ”
Words and phrases that get your point across:
“Don’t do that again.” (Or a variation of that concept.)
“Stop.” (“Stop it, now.” “OK. That’s enough. Stop it.”)
“That is a direct violation of our policies. Don’t ever do that again.”
“Your actions are disrupting work for other people. You have to stop doing that right now.”
“If you do that again you’ll get a disciplinary write up.”
“This quality of work isn’t acceptable.”
“What will you do the next time this situation happens?”
Words and phrases that give support as well as providing correction:
“I know that this isn’t like you and I’m confident we’ll never have this situation again.”
“I’m looking at this as a learning time. Now you know, so you won’t do it again.”
“Your attitude about it this has been great and that means a lot to me. I know you’ll do the right thing from now on and I think you still feel good about the job and working with me.”
“You know not to do that again and I know you want to do the right thing. That’s all that needs to be said about it.”
“I can tell you’re upset about it right now, but I’m confident you’ll get through it.”
If there have been chronic problems you should be more forceful to ensure that the employee understands how serious you are. Do not warn that something will happen if you know it is likely not going to occur. Use your supervisory leadership and influence in a positive way to ensure that behavior or performance is corrected.
The bottom line for your effectiveness: Stop hinting, cajoling, suggesting and pleading for an employee to correct wrong behavior or performance. Say what you mean, directly and clearly and get it over with. Don’t over-talk the subject, unless the situation is complex (and it almost never is!). Ask the employee to say back what he or she understands. Have a demeanor that shows you are concerned. Then, watch the situation to make sure the behavior or performance is corrected right away.
Do your job effectively!
November 21st, 2008
Posted by
TLR |
Challenging and Problematic People, Supervision and Management |
6 comments
The usual advice for many problems is to confront them and deal with them swiftly and surely. That is certainly true for many issues we face in life. But, there are times when the best way to deal with a problem is to avoid putting ourselves in potentially problematic situations or in situations that create temptations we know we will have trouble resisting.
•If you know there are some places you go, or some people you go with, that you end up regretting time after time, don’t do it again.
•If you know there are activities that have some “fellow travelers” that create problems for you, don’t engage in those activities. For example, if you know having a drink makes you want to smoke or vice versa, don’t do the first thing so you don’t do the second thing.
•If your experience shows you there are some people, situations or activities that bring out the worst in you or that make you upset, and you have not yet learned to control your reactions, do what you can to avoid them. You don’t need to make a big deal of it, just leave or don’t go in the first place.
•If you do not have enough self-discipline, will power or resistance to limit your time, money or appetite about something you enjoy, don’t try to do it just a little bit–don’t do it at all. You won’t stop at a little bit this time, any better than you have stopped the last dozen times.
Make a Do-Not-Do List: Write a list of the habits you would like to break, the repetitive things you do that you regret, or the activities or people that keep you from forming good habits, having peace of mind and feeling positive.
Next, consider if there are actions or people that seem to lead you to those negative aspects of your life. Consider how you can adjust, change, reschedule or eliminate contact with each of them. Or, perhaps it is a stand-alone problem with which you simply need to stop being involved. Remember that it is easier to eliminate temptation than it is to gain will power.
Create an Instead list: It may be helpful for you to make a list of what you will do instead of the thing you want to stop doing. I suppose you could call it a To-Do List, but I like the idea of understanding that you are replacing a bad thing with a good thing–and you will be much happier as a result.
The opposite of “Just do it.” There are some things about which we should say, “Just do it!” There are some things about which we must say, “Just don’t do it!” You know which is which in your life and work.
Best wishes this week, as you make your Do-Not-Do-List. You can do it–and you can stop doing it, too!
November 15th, 2008
Posted by
TLR |
Personal and Professional Development |
6 comments
- Physical Culture was the term used in the early 1900s to describe fitness activities.
Try some of these activities to add energy and healthy exercise to your regular work. They are not complete workouts, of course–just ways to keep your body perking along nicely! When you do something that takes energy you will find you actually create more of it!
1. Keep one or two small weights under your desk. Pick a weight size that is challenging but not so difficult it will make you sweat if you do two or three sets of ten precise curls, with one arm or both.
2. Do wall push-aways to mimic a push up. Stand about two feet away from a wall, hands on the wall about shoulder width apart. Lower your body until your nose touches the wall, then push back. Does that sound and feel too easy? Try doing it s…l…o…w…l….y both directions. Not so easy, is it? Do ten of those. Your goal is to energize and tone muscle, not to sweat and strain in your work clothes.
3. Go to a quiet hallway or a stairwell–places where you can have privacy–and jog in place for a minute–Just enough to get your blood circulating but not so much you are hot and uncomfortable. Do that several times a day.
4. Stretch. Stand on tip-toe and rock back down, then up again and down again. Lift your arms over your head and stretch. Do neck stretches by slowly stretching your neck to look over your shoulder, each direction. Lean over and touch your toes while sitting.
5. Consider buying stretch bands that can be used for muscle toning and stretching. I tend to avoid suggesting things you must buy–but might not use. However, these are not extremely expensive and can be used in many settings.
6. Walk as much as you can, to as many places as possible. Put some spring and energy into your stride and make it an exercise.
7. Check websites and magazines for other fitness activities you can do in your office or while traveling.
8. Set your watch or cell phone to alert you every hour to remind you to exercise. That might also be a good time to remind you to drink some water.
Work is tiring–but we can add to our energy and our effectiveness by being more fit and healthy. Fitness breaks at work are one way to help make that possible.
November 11th, 2008
Posted by
TLR |
Food, Fitness, Fun |
4 comments
I had not planned on publishing another photo of this, but I have just about had it with you people! 
The original post with this photo can be seen by clicking here. Since then, I have heard from many people with guesses ranging from 10 to 50 goats on the mountain. The rocks and goats look so much alike that it is easy to mistake one for the other. (That remark is an easy spin-off, but I won’t do it!)
I don’t have a good program for putting numbers next to the goats, so this is rather rough looking, I realize. My approach was this: If I thought there was a chance something was a mountain goat, but could not say for sure, I put a question mark next to it. You can see I have quite a few question marks. But, counting the goats I could see clearly, I now can see 44. Some of my numbers are next to a goat and others are over or under one. If there is a number, there is a goat–I promise!
To see the numbers, save this photo to your photo program, then view it in an enlarged format. Mouse around and look at the numbers and look for goats. Remember, they blend in very, very well. Sometimes you will only see partial goats above the rocks–horns or backside. (The witty remarks are really popping in your mind right now, aren’t they?)
Someone wrote and requested, partly in jest (I think), that I not ever do this again. If you thought the same thing, you don’t need to worry, I won’t!
November 7th, 2008
Posted by
TLR |
Life and Work |
3 comments
For my work, the most crucial piece of office equipment, next to a computer, is a copying machine. Even though I am trying to conserve paper and energy–which is why I send most “handouts” as e-files after training–I want to use workbooks. I am very grateful for modern copiers that staple, punch holes and collate–and certainly remember when we did not have them.
The rights to Thomas Edison’s invention of an “Autographic Printer” in 1876, were bought by A.B. Dick company and the new item was called a mimeograph–a generic name that is now used to describe many brands. Mimeographs are still very popular, especially in countries where electricity is not readily available. Many schools and churches in the United States use them for small copying jobs.
Have you ever cranked-out copies on a mimeograph machine? If so, have you ever copied on the wrong side of the paper because you didn’t put it on the roller correctly? Have you ever had the circles in the letters p, q, o and b, filled in with blobs of ink? Ahh, the memories!
In spite of the drawbacks, the mimeograph machine has at least a few advantages over larger copiers. Most mimeograph copiers do not require electricity. They do not have to have the toner cartridge replaced. Paper will not jam behind door 3a 1.b, requiring a technician to come out and get your mangled original from the jaws of the Copy Monster. And, they are fast–although I doubt the claim in the ad that you could make 1,000 copies in an hour.
I’m glad Mr. Edison found time in his incredible life to invent the Mimeograph machine! I’m especially glad that others used Edison’s ideas to develop copying machines that are even more useful than those early inventions. I’m anxious to see what the future brings. And, I intend to still be producing workbooks!
November 2nd, 2008
Posted by
TLR |
Training, Technology, Blogs, A/V etc. |
2 comments
