Calling All Malingering, Gossiping, Inept and Boring People!
Training is supposed to be helpful and focused on motivation, improvement and expanded thinking. I think my training and presentations accomplish that–but the people who really need the training are never there. All the participants in my classes are incredibly high performing people who are carrying the load for everyone else and who are great team members while constantly striving to be an example of excellence and service.
I’m not complaining, because I almost always really, really like everyone in my classes–I truly do! But, I also would like to talk to a few of those people I’m always hearing about. For example, I want to meet these types:
Drama Queens (I’ll even settle for Kings). I know there are Drama Queens because I hear about them all the time, but they never come to anything I teach. The people who tell me about how vicious and evil their coworkers are and how they almost throw up every time they have to work with one and how that has been true in almost every place they have worked, have said those are the people who fit the description of Drama Royalty. However, so far I’ve been out of luck on meeting any of them.
Speaking of vicious and evil–where are those people when I’m teaching? I don’t want to have a demonic spawn of satan in every class. Nevertheless, since so many coworkers and bosses are described to me as being evil, vile, malevolent or sadistic, you’d think just one of them would give me a break and attend training now and then. But noooooooooo…I only get people who are nurturing, supportive and pleasant in spite of provocation. Sure, I love’em, but a little variety would be fun.
Are you unethical, uninspired, unenthused and disloyal? Send me your email and I’ll give you a discount on my next class. I want to meet you! I have met and admired many participants who are above reproach in every aspect of their work life and I’d like to see what the weasels they work with look like.
Lazy malingerers who lie and gossip apparently never get sent to training for any topic at all and never volunteer to attend. Instead, the rosters get filled with hard working people who speak up when they hear gossip or see unfairness and put a halt to it right away. They’re the same considerate people who never forward virus warnings or talk on a cell phone while driving–and their kids were never allowed to act-up like some of the brats you see in stores nowadays. No wonder I have a fun time teaching–I’ve got the cream of the crop in front of me!
I guess one reason I like all the participants in my classes so much is because they are like I always was in my career–diligently doing their best but held back by incompetent supervisors, managers who don’t have a clue, and weak, spineless so-called leaders. I feel a kinship with every one of them.
Still, in the introductions I would like to have someone openly admit they are treacherous, diabolical backstabbers or even just boring, milk-toast, managers who are afraid of their own shadows. If you aren’t practically perfect, please sign-up for a class or two. Why be content to make life horrible in your workplace when you could have a captive audience and a trainer to practice on?
See you soon, I hope!
This has made the rounds today! This is a funny post! M.K.
Comment by Mike | October 20, 2009
FUNNY! Mike sent this to a bunch of his friends and told them they could get a discount on training from you because they fit the dsecription in your article!
Comment by denisek | October 20, 2009
I’m scheduled for the Supervising Challenging Employees class, if I introduce myself as unethical and uninspired, could I get a discount? Don’t back out on your offer! (Just kidding, but I’ll bet you get some responses like that.) See you!
Comment by NotaDonutFan | October 20, 2009
Tina, you certainly nailed it with this post! I have said almost the same thing about classes I’ve taught. It seems the people who really need it are back at work and the problem-free people attended the class. I’m relatively new to your site but have enjoyed it. Thank you for your live-wire approach!
Comment by J.O.D. | October 20, 2009
Tina says: Thanks to all of you for commenting.
Mike: I got two emails from your friends, so you can stop now. 🙂 Denise, make him stop.
NADF: I’ll see you in the class. Full price.
J.O.D.: Thank you for commenting and I hope you will do that regularly. I always appreciate comments but I tend to get them from people like Mike, Denise and NotaDonutFan. Help me out on this!
🙂
Comment by TLR | October 20, 2009
A funny tongue-in-cheek observation that is also true in many church classes. The humility of repentence can quickly give way to smugness and judgmental attitudes.
I thought as I read this that most readers (myself included) will apply it to those other hypocrites in training they have attended. (I say that with a smile.)
Blessings today! Don
Comment by Don K. | October 21, 2009
Tina says: A wonderful observation, Don! Believe me, I know I’m pointing a finger while the others point back at me!
Comment by TLR | October 21, 2009
Tina, you have such a delightful way of giving backhanded compliments….I think I may have to request some discounted training! Your website is very enticing, and I’ll be checking in more often to read your colorful articles. They are sure way to brighten my day! Thanks!
Comment by VTC | October 21, 2009
This post has created a problem here in Laramie. All the unethical, uninspired, unenthused and disloyal people were going to enroll in some classes at a discounted price. Then someone in purchasing realized there would be no managers or department heads left to run the city, so permission was denied. Sorry!
Comment by wiseacre | October 21, 2009
Tina says:
VTC: You don’t fit any of the qualifications for the discounts!
Wiseacre: Sigh.
Comment by TLR | October 21, 2009
This was VERY funny and so true! It sounds like something Andy Rooney would write.
Comment by C.R. | October 22, 2009
Oh wow, this made me laugh so hard this morning! Thanks so much for the sideways humor!
Comment by Jennifer | October 23, 2009
Ms. Rowe, if you get a class together that has all the types you describe, let me know so I can attend too. I’m sure I can get a ride with one of them since they all work with me.
🙂
Comment by Practically Perfect Patty | October 23, 2009
Tina says: Thanks for the observation, C.R. I like it!
Jennifer, thank you for reading and commenting. I know where you work and you can use some humor there!
Patty, I agree that you’re practically perfect. But not completely.
Comment by TLR | October 23, 2009
This is great, Tina! I love this post and, as another reader commented, it reminds me of classes that I teach. Every Sunday I hear about people who are there with me “in spirit.” Somehow, I never seem to see those spirits. I wonder if there is a way I can flush them out. It’s really not much fun to preach to spirits.
Comment by Jeff Adams | October 24, 2009