Sister Mary Katherine entered the
Monastery of Silence. The Priest said, “Sister, this is a silent
monastery. You are welcome here as long as you like, but you
may not speak until directed to do so.”
Sister Mary Katherine lived in the monastery for 5 years before the Priest said to her, “Sister Mary Katherine, you have been here for 5 years. You may speak two words.” Sister Mary Katherine said, “Hard bed.” “I'm sorry to hear that,” the Priest said, “we will get you a better bed.”
After another 5 years, Sister Mary Katherine was summoned by the Priest. “You may say another two words, Sister Mary Katherine.” “Cold food,” said Sister Mary Katherine, and the Priest assured her that the food would be better in the future.
On her 15th anniversary at the monastery, the Priest again called Sister Mary Katherine in to his office.
“You may say two words today.” “I quit,” said Sister Mary Katherine.
“It's probably best,” said the Priest, “You've done nothing but gripe and complain ever since you got here.”
Sister Mary Katherine lived in the monastery for 5 years before the Priest said to her, “Sister Mary Katherine, you have been here for 5 years. You may speak two words.” Sister Mary Katherine said, “Hard bed.” “I'm sorry to hear that,” the Priest said, “we will get you a better bed.”
After another 5 years, Sister Mary Katherine was summoned by the Priest. “You may say another two words, Sister Mary Katherine.” “Cold food,” said Sister Mary Katherine, and the Priest assured her that the food would be better in the future.
On her 15th anniversary at the monastery, the Priest again called Sister Mary Katherine in to his office.
“You may say two words today.” “I quit,” said Sister Mary Katherine.
“It's probably best,” said the Priest, “You've done nothing but gripe and complain ever since you got here.”
Do you ever feel like Sister Mary Katherine? You’ve got your nose
to the grind doing everything you are told to do, you don’t rock the boat and
when given the chance to make improvements in your performance you tell
management a couple of “tweaks” to make conditions more favorable.
What about if you have a Sister Mary Katherine working for you?
Every time you see THAT person and ask them “how’s it going” they take it as an
easy opportunity to unload on you about how you could make things so much
better for them. Aren’t they just being selfish?
Whether you are a manager or an employee, the big boss or just a
peon, dealing with people, personalities and work environments is tough. Take a
moment and look at it from the other side. THAT person may not be trying to
make the situation about them, but may genuinely be looking to improve
productivity in the work place. And, if you are the one offering the
suggestions, make sure you are pointing out the good along with the bad.
If you are still having trouble “Dealing with Difficult
Employees”, put September 18th on your calendar for a Chamber
seminar by Glenn Shepard who will help you identify and implement ways of
communicating better with your employees and teams!
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