Location: A very busy Starbucks in north Phoenix.Scenario: A middle-aged man in a polo shirt and shorts rushes in and orders a coffee. When the barista starts to ring up the order, the customer holds up a $100 bill and says, "This is all I've got." The barista calls over a manager and they start a lengthy search for change. The customer adds a newspaper to his purchase. A long line forms.Conclusion of episode: The guy gets $93 in change, says a quick "Thanks" to the guy at the register, and departs.Questions: I know where I fall on this matter but which one of the following responses reflects your views?
- The guy was an uncaring jerk. He should have waited until he had smaller bills.
- It's not his fault. Businesses should be able to handle such transactions without undue delay.
- It's not a big deal and I see no ethical issues.
- The guy was rude but he probably didn't realize it. Can't we all just get along?
- The staff should have told him they can't handle such large denominations. Stiff the weasel.
- Nothing here that a severe flogging wouldn't cure.
"If they can't help me, I won't help them.""Rank hath its privileges.""He and I are having sort of a war.""Information is power and I hang onto as much as possible.""I communicate solely through e-mail.""You gotta keep score of slights.""I'll do whatever it takes to get a corner office.""I've been doing it this way for 30 years and am not going to stop now.""Once they promote me, I'll show them what I can really do.""Who's the babe at the front desk?""They'll never miss it.""Everybody does it.""I don't have time to go to training."
The film "Network" gave us plenty of warning about the TV biz: Here's the scene where Faye Dunaway meets with her staff.
Aside from the more intense moments of coaching sessions when a specific problem is being identified or an action plan developed, there are times when the coach simply serves as a sounding board. "This is what I'm thinking of saying at the big meeting that starts in around 30 minutes. Tell me what you think.""Hmm. That first part sounds fine. I'd suggest dropping the last part.""Why? That was my favorite part.""I know. That's why it has to go. You're making it a little too personal. You'll distract them from the main message.""I see what you mean. You have to admit it was a great line.""Yes, but save that for some other day. See if it sounds great in a week or two.""Okay. Got it. I'll let you know what happened."Mission accomplished.
People who are brutally honest get more satisfaction out of the brutality than out of the honesty.- Richard J. Needham
If you don't periodically look back and conclude that you would have been so much better had you performed past jobs with the knowledge that you possess today, you're doing something wrong. When we review our personal histories we are often recalling the actions of strangers; individuals with attitudes and assumptions that may be absolutely foreign to our current ones.As odd as that may seem, it is a good sign provided that we have made a serious effort to improve and have not slipped into serious decline. That may be the question: How serious are we when it comes to getting better?
A question in the minds of many Arizonans right now is whether the forest fires in the eastern part of the state will hit the little town of Greer, one of the most beautiful escape places in the world. The last I heard is the fires are around six miles away and they have already destroyed a lot of forest.
