Manufacture Your Day by ACKNOWLEDGING THAT YOU CANNOT “FIX” PEOPLE
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Today, I want to express how grateful I am for each of my clients. I’ve been able to work with an increasing number of management teams that take self-development seriously.
It is always exciting for me when the phone rings and someone wants to work with me because this person has heard that we deliver great results.
However, here is what most people don’t know about our approach:
- You cannot hire us to “fix” people.
- We are the experts in the field and we appreciate being treated as a partner in the process.
- We are in the position to choose who is a good fit to work with – we have parted ways with clients and coachees in the past.
- Money isn’t one of our drivers. Contribution and helping people to learn and to grow are important to us.
A few years ago I received a phone call from a manager who wanted me to “fix” one of his direct reports. He told me that this person is negative, demotivated, and disengaged and that he needs a kick in the butt.
I took a deep breath and asked him a few questions:
Me: On a scale from 1 to 10 (10 being the highest) where do you see yourself as a manager?
Manager: 8
Me: What’s your criteria for being an 8?
Manager: I have a success record to deliver results.
Me: What kind of results?
Manager: I get stuff done.
Me: Do you get help from your team to “get stuff done”?
Manager: From some but most of them are not self-sufficient and I have to tell what to do and how to do it
Me: Do you think you contribute in any way to your direct report’s behaviour?
Answer: No. Why do you even ask me this question?
Me: Have you ever worked with a leadership coach? If not, would you be willing to work with one?
Answer: No, but this is not about me. I don’t understand your questions. Do you want the job or not?
Me: Listening to you, I don’t think I can help you to deliver long-term results with your direct report. I wouldn’t feel comfortable wasting your money and my time.
My response left him speechless and angry.
I am very grateful that we are in the position to choose the companies we work with. It hasn’t always been this way.
Conclusion: If you want to get better results, you have to get better. If you want people to improve, you have to improve.
You’re welcome.
Food for Thought:
What do you do to learn and to grow? How do you help your team members to get better?
Please read this article:
You Can’t Solve Other People’s Problems
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