Accept only the best: Management by Quotation
July 7, 2008 by Phil Gerbyshak
Filed under Business
“It is a funny thing about life; if you refuse to accept anything but the best, you very often get it.” Somerset Maugham
Today as I reflect on the coming week, this quote popped onto my radar, and I thought of my team. Counting my intern and I, we have a team of 9. And we have gone through some big challenges together the past 6 months:
- 2 people quit to take jobs at other firms.
- 1 person got promoted to fill a brand new, very unique role in the firm. He was the only person who knew the job he did on my team, and hiring him 4 years ago was a very lucky bit of timing on our part.
- The person I hired to replace this individual had a lot of potential and seemed very willing and able to do the job. He walked off the job on a Monday afternoon at 2:20 PM, never to be heard from again.
- My senior person is now splitting her day between my team and a team on the other half of our floor, a great opportunity for her but a challenging staffing issue for us.
- Another of my best people is leaving on August 1st to follow her boyfriend to New York City.
- I’ve had to release 2 contractors who were filling in the gaps due to a variety of reasons, none of which I can share with my team.
- We have a 19 year old intern who is working in his first corporate setting and our job is VERY specialized and typically requires 6 weeks of training. He’s spending 13 weeks with us, with 2 weeks out for various classes he can only take over the summer.
The only thing that has kept me afloat is my belief that we have the best team on the planet, and that we will get through this in flying colors, just like we have done everything else.
I’ve been told I am a tough manager because I expect the best, but what alternative do I have? If I accept mediocrity, I’ll get it. If I accept, or worse yet expect, the worst, I’ll get it.
I believe in the power of my team, and in the processes we have put in place to create a great team. We have a GREAT team, we’re just discovering our greatness now.
What do you accept, expect and believe about your team?
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I have to agree that you have to hire tough in order to make the team successful. So I believe that you are on the right track. I am constantly amazed how managers take the easy way out by hiring a ‘warm body’ to fill the position. I have seen this only lead to lower group moral and discord. I know it’s tough but the right person will come along. In the mean time – keep the moral up by constant positive feedback to your group!
One more note – during the interview process I would recommend having three interviews. The reason is that on the first interview the interviewee will be on their best behavour. The second interview may cause them to be more relaxed and more of what you will be getting. The third interview would be with a top employee as to find that the new person will mesh with the team and be a good fit.
Hi Phil, I think that turnover through no fault of your own is the hardest to accept because there’s nothing you can do or change to prevent it.
However, bringing on new people is far easier if you use a team approach and extensive phone interviews. I’ve written a lot of how-to’s about this at http://www.MAPpingCompanySuccess.com (forgive the link:).
I’d love to offer you some free coaching if you’re interested. In fact, I’ll extend that offer to any of your readers who want to take advantage of it. You can reach me at 866.265.7267 or miki@rampupsolutions.com.