What are the earmarks of an efficient organization? A dysfunctional one? What kind of worker behaviors and emotional states hurt efficiency and how can those workers be coached to improve?
4. Confidence
1. I/we are VALUED
2. I/we are CAPABLE
3. I/we are SUPPORTED
4. I/we are RESPONSIBLE
5. I/we are a TEAM
5. Signs of the Efficient
Organization
Emotional
• Leadership engaged, available, responsive, FRIENDLY
• People look forward to coming to work, concentrate
on their role in the organization first and foremost
• People get along and have open, intelligent, honest
conversations (rivalries and resentments are discussed
and managed)
• Smiles are seen, laughter is heard
• Slights are dealt with in proportion to their seriousness
• Ideas are shared without fear or envy
• Tears of sadness or joy, not frustration
• No apologies for honesty
6. Signs of the Efficient
Organization
Operational
• People Know Their Role and Take Responsibility—”I AM” “I
WILL” “I CAN”
• When someone asks “Why?,” they get an answer
• Communication is top-down AND bottom-up –
Complaint + Solution + Authority = Innovation
• Chain of command is clear, makes sense and is respected
• Supervisors and line trust each other--NO MICROMANAGEMENT
• Tasks get done in a timely fashion—people ask for help,
responsibility is delegated
• Requests are reasonable and “yes” is heard more often than
“no”
• The buck stops sooner rather than later
• Flexibility—”We’ll try that.”
7. Signs of the Efficient
Organization
Operational (Continued)
• Committees/meetings solve as many problems as
they discuss within a reasonable time frame
• Policies are fair and consistent, processes logical
and effective, line workers involved in creation—
No “HUH?” Factor
• Criticism is gently given and well-taken: BENEFIT OF
THE DOUBT
• Emergencies don’t cause panic
• The boss(es) can take criticism AND put it to use
8. Signs of the Efficient
Organization
Technical/Technological
• Technology has a purpose
• Members understand the purpose and are
trained to use technology well—”Function
Keys”
• Facilitates operational and emotional
success
11. Confidence
1. I/we are MEANINGLESS
2. I/we are UNDERTRAINED
3. I/we are ON OUR OWN
4. I/we are IN THE DARK
5. I/we are ALONG FOR
THE RIDE
12. Signs of the Dysfunctional
Organization
Emotional
• Absentee leadership OR Hovering management
• Frequent interpersonal crises—GRUDGES, TANTRUMS
• People dread work, lose sleep, emotionally fear co-worker(s),
call in sick, high/quick turnover, concentrate on outside interests
(organizations, associations)
• Behind-the-back sniping, gossip, cattiness, cowardly criticism,
cliques (barking dogs)
• People “freak out” when they perceive disrespect (perspective)
• Ideas are sat on out of fear of criticism or lack or
recognition/”credit theft”
• Criticism is totally avoided (or is too harsh) and is always taken
personally
• General Sense of Frustration/Hopelessness—*SIGH*
• People make excuses for themselves and others
• “Stinkbugs” (A**holes)—MORE ON THIS LATER
13. Signs of the Dysfunctional
Organization
Operational
• People Avoid Responsibility—”I‘m not” “Not me” “Sorry, can’t”
• When someone asks “Why?,” they get stonewalled
• Communication is infrequent, inconsistent and unclear
• People go over supervisor’s head, around each other, behind
backs: Constant “Whistleblowing”
• No trust, no drive—MICROMANAGEMENT and MOTIVE
QUESTIONING
• Tasks go undone, get ignored, get pawned off
• Requests are unreasonable and people corner each other into
saying “no”—causes resentment
• The buck never stops—”I thought he said he would handle that!”
or “That’s how ‘they’ want it.”
• Committees/meetings go on forever, avoid decisions, meet for
sake of “Work-cation”
• Policies make no sense or are reactive, processes get
“grandfathered” in—The “Federal Helium Program” Factor
• Inflexible—”It can’t be done that way” OR “That will never work.”
14. Signs of the Dysfunctional
Organization
Technical/Technological
• Technology for technology’s sake—
Watchfire vs. campfire
• Members don’t understand why
something is there, become less efficient
• Leads to frustration and “just doing it by
hand”
15. Negativity: The Core of
Dysfunction
Negativity is any verbal or nonverbal behavior that
causes others to feel:
16. Negativity: The Core of
Dysfunction
Negativity is any verbal or nonverbal behavior that
causes others to feel:
Angry-- “I am under attack”
17. Negativity: The Core of
Dysfunction
Negativity is any verbal or nonverbal behavior that
causes others to feel:
Angry
Depressed— “I am powerless”
18. Negativity: The Core of
Dysfunction
Negativity is any verbal or nonverbal behavior that
causes others to feel:
Angry
Depressed
Discouraged— “I am failing”
19. Negativity: The Core of
Dysfunction
Negativity is any verbal or nonverbal behavior that
causes others to feel:
Angry
Depressed
Discouraged
Anxious– “Danger is imminent”
20. Negativity: The Core of
Dysfunction
Negativity is any verbal or nonverbal behavior that
causes others to feel:
Angry
Depressed
Discouraged
Anxious
Hopeless– “I don’t care anymore”
21. Causes of Negativity Go
Both Ways
Top Down:
1. Poor communication
2. Sudden/frequent direction
changes OR poor “change
management”
3. Lack of clear vision
4. Lack of appreciation/
understanding
22. Causes of Negativity Go
Both Ways
Bottom Up
1. Personality issues
2. Resistance to change-
“Change is LOSS.”**
3. Cultural issues
4. Frustration (career, personal)
**1. Meaning 2. Control 3. Competence
4. Relationship(s) 5. Safety/Security
23. Am I…?
Dysfunctional
• Burnt out
• Territorial
• Bitter
• Gruff
• Sarcastic/Disrespectful
• Secretive/Lonely
• Aloof
• Frazzled
• Hyperemotional
• Cold
• Controlling
• Too Accommodating/Demanding
• Absentminded/Overcommitted
• TAKING IT ALL TOO PERSONALLY
Efficient
• Eager
• Collaborative
• Friendly
• Available
• Confident
• Reasonable
• Willing to delegate
• Assertive (not aggressive)
• Considerate of My Own Schedule
and That of Others
• “With It”
• Keeping The Job In Perspective
24. Increasing Efficiency is
Decreasing Dysfunction
EMOTIONAL
• Never discount the impact of your emotional state*
• Never discount the impact of your co-worker’s emotional state*
• Speak up/ask if you are concerned—BE HUMAN
• Know your interpersonal rights and assert them—don’t be bullied
• Know the rights of others and don’t violate them—don’t be a bully
• Report interpersonal issues to a supervisor IF YOU CANNOT WORK THEM
OUT FOR YOURSELF
• If you MUST criticize, direct criticism to its target in a civil and responsible
way and offer advice; don’t gossip
• Keep your temper, be respectful
• Accept compromise (be an adult)
• HAVE A SENSE OF HUMOR!
* “The contagion of incivility”
25. Increasing Efficiency is
Decreasing Dysfunction
TECHNICAL/TECHNOLOGICAL
• Assess your training. Is it adequate? If not, say so.
• Are machinery/computer issues in the way of
premium performance? If so, put it in writing. Offer a
solution, if you can.
• Identify problems technology could possibly solve
• Identify problems technology is causing
• Be patient
26. Increasing Efficiency is
Decreasing Dysfunction
OPERATIONAL
• Give honest evaluations using constructive language
(communicate)
• Never complain without offering a solution—assume the follow-
up question: “What can be done about it?” and offer the
answer
• CLEARLY assign tasks AND deadlines at the same time—avoid
micromanagement (Bird-dog, don’t hound)
• Respect the contract, written and unwritten
• Speak up when you feel your training is lacking
• Point out problems in a timely manner using the chain of
command
• Take responsibility, volunteer, say “YES”
• Set deadlines for committee issues
• Ask “why” something is the way it is if you don’t understand
29. The Seven Stinkbugs
And How To Deal
1.The Whiner
2.The Know-It-All
3.The Town Crier
4.The Underminer
5.The Office Bully
6. Eeyore/Debbie Downer
7.The Ninja
30. The Whiner
Feels: Discomfort and Frustration
Lacks: Filter
Discusses: Their immediate emotional state and
what/who is causing it.
Blames: Others.
Best Handled by: Limitations. Insist on suggested
solutions (in writing?) for every complaint. Assign
the implementation of suggestions when possible.
Deadlines and consequences.
31. The Know It All
Feels: Insecurity (or a genuine sense of superiority)
Lacks: Self-awareness
Discusses: What others are doing wrong and how
it should be done.
Blames: Others.
Best Handled By: Strategic ignoring. Probing
questions. Assignment of responsibilities and
deadlines.
32. The Town Crier
Feels: Unimportant, Powerless, Lacking Attention
Lacks: Empathy
Discusses: The behavior and flaws of other people.
Blames: Whoever they are talking about.
Best Handled By: A good example, first and
foremost.
Assess the possible legal impact of their behavior
and directly confront the gossiper about the
unacceptable nature of their behavior in a timely
manner. Give deadlines for change, document
the discussion, be prepared to discipline.
33. The Underminer
Feels: Frustrated at Status, Resentment of Authority
Lacks: Insight
Discusses: How “The Man” (YOU) is keeping
everyone down/screwing everything up.
Blames: Higher-Ups
Best Handled By: Confirming suspicions with witnesses,
Documenting specific instances.
Clearly explain to the employee the organization’s
goals, mission and values. Describe how the specific
incidents you documented undermine the basic tenets
of the company. Explain the negative effects that
resulted from each situation. Discuss what changes the
employee must make for him and the organization to
succeed.
34. The Bully
Feels: Compulsive need for dominance and control to further a
strictly PERSONAL agenda
Lacks: Empathy/Social Conscience
Discusses: Whatever they want, as long as they can harass,
intimidate, exploit and insult you or someone else while they do
it.
Blames: Whoever is weaker, lower in the organization and less
confrontational than they are.
Best Handled By: Direct, firm, rapid confrontation about specific
instances of bullying behavior. Team up on the bully.
Because bullies often act in such a way that they are difficult to
catch while in the act, a general discussion of the organization’s
values—and the consequences for violating them—is often a
good starting point for addressing their behavior. Be sure your
entire staff knows that the administration takes bullying seriously
and will not tolerate it.
35. Eeyore/Debbie Downer
Feels: Low motivation, high frustration
Lacks: Perspective
Discusses: How and why whatever project might be going on will
lead to problems and/or failure.
Blames: Whatever is convenient, including themselves
Best Handled By:
• Perspective—is the employee an essential element of
balance?
• Seeking out the source of the pessimism—why do they think
as they do? History?
• Explaining to the employee how their comments and attitude
are perceived and how they affect the attitudes and
productivity of the organization.
• Using peer pressure and firmly setting group expectations to
help regulate the behavior.
• Insist on suggested solutions (in writing?) for every complaint.
36. The Ninja
Feels: Frustration at status, resentment of authority, need for
power and control
Lacks: Forthrightness (Is Two-Faced)
Discusses: What you want to hear (to your face), why you are
incompetent (behind your back).
Blames: Whoever/whatever they perceive the audience will
agree with—but mostly the boss.
Best Handled By:
Direct confrontation and disclosure of awareness. Ninjas prefer to
work in secrecy and will often adjust behavior when they are
aware that they have been detected and are being watched.
37. 1. Share your observations—Tell the employee what
you/your team have seen without offering judgment
“Gloria, I have gotten several reports from staff that you discuss
your coworkers in such a way that they feel it is a distraction and
bad for team morale.”
Dr. Marie McIntyre’s Five Steps
of Coaching Behavior
38. Dr. Marie McIntyre’s Five Steps
of Coaching Behavior
1. Share your observations—Tell the employee what
you/your team have seen without offering judgment
“Gloria, I have gotten several reports from staff that you discuss
your coworkers in such a way that they feel it is a distraction and
bad for team morale.”
2. Explain why change is needed—Tell the employee why what you
have observed must change without offering judgment
“Being talked about can cause co-workers to feel that they are
being disrespected and can cause distrust, and co-worker distrust is
bad for morale and creates a difficult work environment.”
39. 3. Discuss Causes and Barriers—Here the employee can
explain/offer excuses/try to pass blame, etc. Listen as carefully,
calmly and objectively as possible. This is a discussion, not a
reprimand. Be careful not to be sidetracked or talked out of your
course of action.
Dr. Marie McIntyre’s Five Steps
of Coaching Behavior
40. Dr. Marie McIntyre’s Five Steps
of Coaching Behavior
3. Discuss Causes and Barriers—Here the employee can
explain/offer excuses/try to pass blame, etc. Listen as carefully,
calmly and objectively as possible. This is a discussion, not a
reprimand. Be careful not to be sidetracked or talked out of your
course of action.
4. Agree on Strategies for Change— The employee must be
allowed to be in control of the improvements you need her to
make. Allow them to tell YOU what they can do to fix the situation
as much as possible.
“You say you think your behavior has been misjudged. What do you
think you can do to change the perception that you are
gossiping?”
41. 5. Provide Ongoing Feedback—This is to let the employee know
that you not only continue to monitor their behavior, but that you
notice if and when it improves/returns.
“While I was down here I just wanted to say I appreciate you taking
the talk we had last month seriously. I haven’t heard any reports of
the issue from anyone since. Thank you.”
Dr. Marie McIntyre’s Five Steps
of Coaching Behavior
42. Document, Document,
Document
Find out if your city or departmental HR department has forms for
documenting disciplinary/coaching discussions. If so, make it a point
to use them.
If not, remember to immediately document discussions according to
these elements:
1. What the acceptable standards of performance are.
2. How the employee failed to meet those standards.
3. The HIGHLIGHTS of the corrective discussion you had with him/her
including the SPECIFIC STEPS they must take to improve.
4. The timeline for improvement.
5. The employee’s response and SIGNATURE.
44. Recommended Reading
http://yourofficecoach.com
http://theworkplacetherapist.com
The No-A**hole Rule: Building a Civilized Workplace or Surviving One That Isn’t by Robert I.
Sutton, Ph.D. http://bobsutton.typepad.com
The Bully at Work: What You Can Do to Stop the Hurt and Reclaim Your Dignity on the Job by
Gary and Ruth Namie
Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ by Daniel Goleman
Emotional Vampires: Dealing With People Who Drain You Dry by Albert Bernstein
The Gentle Art of Verbal Self-Defense at Work by Suzette Elgin, Ph.D.
Great by Choice by Jim Collins and Morten Hansen
The Great Workplace: How to Build it, How to Keep It and Why it Matters by Michael Burchell
and Jennifer Robin
Teaming Up: Making the Transition to a Self-Directed Team-Based Organization by Darrel Ray &
Howard Bronstein
