| Inspiring Workplaces |
ISSUE 989 - Sept. 13, 2023 |
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Don't Leave Your Colleagues Hanging Out to Dry |
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When you leave a voice mail or email asking someone to get back to you fairly quickly, are you anticipating how they might interpret your message? Have you ever received a message from your boss, for example, saying, "We need to chat as soon as you're available!"
or "I'm convening a last-minute meeting and need everyone there!"
How do you react? Do you think to yourself, "Uh oh. Am I in trouble? What did I do?"
Or maybe it's a nebulous message from your mechanic or wombat wrangler (I'm not sure that job exists, but I imagine if you had wombats that needed wrangling, you might be a tad concerned.) And where does your mind immediately go - it must be bad news if they are calling!
Okay, so sometimes it is bad news. Your car needs a new engine or a wombat has escaped. When it's not bad news, however, don't put your colleagues or customers under unnecessary stress wondering why the heck you need to speak with them. Don't leaving them hanging.
Be specific whenever possible about why you need to meet. Frame it positively at the start of your message or right in the email subject line. If it's an urgent meeting but it's nothing bad, say so!
"It's all good, in fact, I've got some exciting news that I want to share in person and get your perspective on" will create positive anticipation instead of inadvertently causing them anxiety.
And if it is bad news, then choose your words carefully to prepare them and alleviate their concerns. Saying, "We hit a snag with the Penske file, but I'm totally optimistic we can put our heads together and figure this out so in no time" or "We can't find one of your wombats, but we have a plan to get the little guy back, we just need to know if he prefers Skittles or Twinkies?" will go along ways towards minimizing unnecessary stress.
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Mike's Fun at Work Tip |
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Today is Bald is Beautiful Day, which reminds me of a fun promo that Gary's Uptown Restaurant offers every Wednesday, where diners pay based on how much hair they have. Totally bald and you get 100% off your bill; 50% bald you get half off. If you have a comb over or toupee, then you must reveal your bald spot and servers will assess the percentage off your bill.
The restaurant gets a ton of free publicity through the promotion, so why not look for similar wacky, offbeat promos you could do either with your customers or your employees. (And if you go the bald route, make sure it's 100% voluntary, in case you offend anyone who doesn't exactly celebrate their baldness with the same enthusiasm!)
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Thought to Ponder of the Week |
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"People are divided on the police these days but all human beings are opposed to the laugh police." Coach Ted Lasso
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Funny Business |
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A sign seen in a public washroom:
"Wash your hands like you just ate crabs and
you need to take your contact lens out."
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