The Babysitter

So here is the leader who has been re-allocated to another role...and has to come back because of another exit from a key employee. Now, in his words, he is just ‘baby-sitting’ until a new replacement can be found. Questions abound:


• What happened to the other guy?

• Why, if this guy was removed, is he coming back, with a worsening attitude?

• Why are we not good enough to continue with the company mission and need a ‘babysitter’?

What to do? This is an opportunity to remind the babysitter of the good work the team did together. Thank them for the support and let them know that you are capable of executing your role as in the past, and you will let them know if they are needed for anything. Keep the conversation light, not confrontational, ignoring the cheap shot of ‘babysitter’. It’s the high road – it always works, even if it doesn’t feel like it sometimes.

A Medical Rant

OK service and leadership go together


So I would think if you were in the medical profession
At one point in your life
You made the decision to follow that path because you wanted to help people.


Well stop it if you are tired of it.


We can hear the exasperation in your voice
When we answer your questions,
That you've asked a million times before
But don't remember because
You failed to read the notes you took.


We can hear the condescension in your voice when you tell us to relax
You know, just because you do a gunk exam 100+ times per year,
I only go through it once a year, and relaxing is not easy.


How about your sarcasm telling me to lose weight?


I am here,


After six months of waiting,


To talk to you about my back injury from a car accident two years ago.


You don't think that I would still be running half marathons if I could actually run for more than 5 minutes without my leg falling asleep?


How about asking how all this happened?


How about getting to know me instead of trying to get me out of your office as fast as possible?


How about not yelling at me because you didn't get all the information from my referring doctor
...and instead of sending them a scathing letter, pick the phone and explain your expectation?


What about if,
because you scheduled me an appointment during a time when I was unavailable,
and even though I told your assistant that,
you still want to charge me,
instead...make room on your calendar for me
....but I guess
I am a number


With a dollar sign in front of it.


If you are tired of dealing with people who are sick,
Hurting,
Having issues,
Need help,
Then stop.


Go do something else that might make you happy.
It's okay to change careers.


We feel bad enough coming see you as it is.


We don't need your attitude to make us feel worse.


If you don't want to help,
to serve any longer
Go find something else to do.

Attitude Reflects Leadership

Ever wonder when you walk into a business - a restaurant, an office, a store, a bank - why there is an atmosphere?  Not just the cleanliness or the smell in the air but a palpable feeling amongst the staff?
It's the attitude.
You need to understand that the underlying tone is any business, any community, any household, is really the reflection of the attitude of the leader.
If you have a leader who throws change at you at the checkout register, doesn't say thank-you, treats customers poorly, you will see the same from the employees in that location - if the leader can do it so will the staff.

What to do?  Always be aware of your attitude towards your team, your clients, those around you.  It will come back to you in attitude from your team, your clients and those around you.  Attitude reflects leadership - always!