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Advice Needed on Management Issues (Hubby has a big job interview tomorrow)
November 2, 2005 | self

Posted on 11/02/2005 3:38:45 PM PST by proud American in Canada

Hi, all,

I'm posting here because I know that this place is the one place to get good advice in a hurry.

I called on you all recently when my Chrysler Minivan wouldn't start. Long story--but once again, Freepers came through.

So now.. My husband is totally stressed. He has a MAJOR job interview tomorrow. He doesn't expect to get the job (there's already someone there and in the Cdn. government sometimes you have to re-apply for your job).

However, tomorrow is part one of the interview. There will be actors bringing him problems and he has to basically demonstrate that he would be capable of being a director of a major organization. He already manages several people, but he's stressed because if he doesn't handle it right, this bad score will be on his record for years.

He can handle the substance--that comes later--but they will be questioning him on people issues.

They sent him a "fact sheet" describing who he is, etc. Here it is:

He is the director of a museum. There is a generational gap between his employees--the older ones are archivists, etc. There are younger ones, too.

There are several key problem issues that may or may not come up tomorrow:

1. The people who don't have kids resent the "free time" that those who have children seem to have. How to resolve that problem without drastically reducing productivity (this was my idea, giving childless people the same free time, but then my husband said, "so, people without kids can just say, 'hey, I gotta go,' and no one can call them on it?"

There must be people who have dealt with this around here. It's a common problem.

2. Because it's a museum, there are volunteers. They actually need the volunteers, to get everything done, but a lot of employees feel like the volunteers are threatening their jobs. The established people are also worried about the occasional contract person who is hired.

There is a generational difference, I have a feeling (though it's not written), that the older/childless employees are the ones who are bitter.


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Chit/Chat
KEYWORDS: help; management; unhappyemployees
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Any thoughts would be welcome.

I sure wish he'd have given me this background sheet earlier, because there are so many great people here. But he was out of town.

Anyway, thanks for any advice you can give.

1 posted on 11/02/2005 3:38:46 PM PST by proud American in Canada
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To: proud American in Canada
Your husband has one day. If he is not prepaired now he will never be.

He needs to relax. Meet him at the door wearing nothing but a smile, with his favorate dead animal ready to eat after.

2 posted on 11/02/2005 3:42:11 PM PST by Dinsdale
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To: Dinsdale

LOL! Good advice. I did make a really nice dinner tonight.

I already told him, they're testing your personality, your character, not your knowledge. In a lot of ways, there's nothing he can do. It seemed to make him feel better, though that lasted about 2 minutes, LOL!

Thank you for advice. And our daughter wants a barbecue tomorrow night--maybe she's intuitive!

Thanks again.


3 posted on 11/02/2005 3:46:07 PM PST by proud American in Canada (Merry Alitomas, Dems!)
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To: fanfan; backhoe; governsleastgovernsbest; Do not dub me shapka broham

Pinging some FRiends on the off chance you might be online. :)


4 posted on 11/02/2005 3:49:32 PM PST by proud American in Canada (Merry Alitomas, Dems!)
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To: proud American in Canada

"2. Because it's a museum, there are volunteers. They actually need the volunteers, to get everything done, but a lot of employees feel like the volunteers are threatening their jobs. The established people are also worried about the occasional contract person who is hired."

Give the employees some responsibility for tasking and monitoring the volunteers and contractors. They will then feel as if they have some control over the situation.

Notice I said SOME responsibility...


5 posted on 11/02/2005 3:49:50 PM PST by mrs. a (It's a short life but a merry one...)
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To: mrs. a
Give the employees some responsibility for tasking and monitoring the volunteers and contractors. They will then feel as if they have some control over the situation.

Excellent idea. Thank you, Mrs. A.!

I was surfing to find manager's websites, but so much that you find are these paid sites, not real discussion sites.

Thanks again!

6 posted on 11/02/2005 3:52:43 PM PST by proud American in Canada (Merry Alitomas, Dems!)
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To: mrs. a

btw--I LOVE your tagline.

You have to appreciate every day you're given. :)


7 posted on 11/02/2005 3:55:32 PM PST by proud American in Canada (Merry Alitomas, Dems!)
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To: proud American in Canada
Smile at the folks.

Remember their names.

Listen. Have the actors talk about their favorite topic : themselves.

Be interested in what they say...Sincerely...do not be fake.

Even if they are wrong...do not argue.

Do not critique a former boss, employee...

Repeat their "wonderful" ideas.

Do not try too hard to please.
8 posted on 11/02/2005 3:57:19 PM PST by george76 (Ward Churchill : Fake Indian, Fake Scholarship, and Fake Art)
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To: proud American in Canada

A lot of those problems are best referred to the HR, Human Resources, Dept. There is little a manager can do on his own anymore besides get his annual budget request in the proper format.


9 posted on 11/02/2005 4:00:54 PM PST by RightWhale (Repeal the law of the excluded middle)
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To: proud American in Canada; arasina; MississippiMan; GVgirl; Victoria Delsoul; Clemenza; firebrand; ..
I'm wishing him the best on his interview!

Elinor Burkett, a phenomenal writer/journalist in my opinion, has written extensively on the whole issue of flex time-and internecine scheduling conflicts between coworkers-admittedly from a pronouncedly biased, pro-single perspective.

I know that there are some people here who work in personnel and/or human resources, but I can't summon their names-or handles, rather-off the top of my head, which is why I'm pinging some people who hopefully will be able to offer you-and by extension, your husband-much better advice than I ever could.

Again, good luck!!!

:)

-good times, G.J.P. (Jr.)

10 posted on 11/02/2005 4:06:20 PM PST by Do not dub me shapka broham
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To: george76

Thank you so much. And so much is just common sense, even though when you're worried it doesn't feel that way.

So much of this is just being yourself.

I just started a "desk job" after ... twenty years of doing contract work/raising kids. I was so nervous. But my sister said, "You're a friendly person, just be yourself."

And I was especially worried because I'm working for a Canadian liberal. LOL!

But you know what? He knows where I stand (he asked me on the first day about my politics and I was honest), and it's okay.

You can disagree with people without disliking them.

Okay, I'm sorry, I got off track. It's just that there's been a lot going on, and FR feels so much like home.


11 posted on 11/02/2005 4:07:28 PM PST by proud American in Canada (Merry Alitomas, Dems!)
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To: proud American in Canada
He should wear a clown suit and walk funny at the interview.

Always works.

That's how I got my job at Ringling Brothers.

12 posted on 11/02/2005 4:08:28 PM PST by tallhappy (Juntos Podemos!)
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To: Do not dub me shapka broham

I don't have a dog in this hunt


13 posted on 11/02/2005 4:08:32 PM PST by King Prout (many accuse me of being overly literal... this would not be a problem if many were not under-precise)
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To: RightWhale
A lot of those problems are best referred to the HR, Human Resources, Dept. There is little a manager can do on his own anymore besides get his annual budget request in the proper format.

Thank you! I will pass this along. I appreciate it, FRiend.

14 posted on 11/02/2005 4:09:37 PM PST by proud American in Canada (Merry Alitomas, Dems!)
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To: tallhappy
He should wear a clown suit and walk funny at the interview.

LOL!

How to win friends and influence people, LOL!!!

Thanks for the advice and I'll pass it on. ;)

15 posted on 11/02/2005 4:11:07 PM PST by proud American in Canada (Merry Alitomas, Dems!)
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To: proud American in Canada
1. Move museum to US.
2. Unionize employees.
3. Increase salaries and free time for union workers.
4. Let volunteers do all the work.
16 posted on 11/02/2005 4:14:20 PM PST by oh8eleven (RVN '67-'68)
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To: Do not dub me shapka broham
I know that there are some people here who work in personnel and/or human resources, but I can't summon their names-or handles, rather-off the top of my head, which is why I'm pinging some people who hopefully will be able to offer you-and by extension, your husband-much better advice than I ever could.

In the immortal words of my family back home: HOLY COW! And thank you.

I promised him that we'd get to bed early (and I'm talking sleep, LOL), so I have to get my kids to bed and discuss isses (that all of you have helped me with), but I just want to thank you, and I will check this thread later. Like around 4 a.m. when I wake up, LOL!

Thank you so much, everyone!

17 posted on 11/02/2005 4:15:43 PM PST by proud American in Canada (Merry Alitomas, Dems!)
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To: oh8eleven
1. Move museum to US.

Best idea I've heard in about 5 years (since I moved here).

EVERYTHING is better in the U.S. ... and maybe ... I shouldn't get started, LOL!

Thank you for your post. :)

18 posted on 11/02/2005 4:17:37 PM PST by proud American in Canada (Merry Alitomas, Dems!)
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To: King Prout

Just wanted to thank you for your post, before I log off for the night--unusually early. ;)

Take care. :)


19 posted on 11/02/2005 4:19:50 PM PST by proud American in Canada (Merry Alitomas, Dems!)
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To: anyone

WOW! What a list! I am already stressed out thinking of those problems!

Just the basics : ( I am typing this fast so forgive any missed words)

@ Always try to look your interviewer in the eyes when they look at you--it reflects you are Really not only paying attention to them--but treating THEIR time and questions/answers as being very important. It is a compliment when others see that YOU are paying attention to their every word--and also reflects how you will treat OTHERS you will (hopefully) be in charge of!

@ Try to use POSTIVE words in your answers/speech/statements- there are POWER WORDS lists like that on the web here and there--do a search--but it is easy--just try NOT to use " NEGATIVE " words or be a negativist! If you get that meaning.

@ If there ARE problems with personnel --try to start by saying that YOU are the one that EVERYONE has to " look up to " for MANAGEMENT!--and although not Everyone is going to naturally get along--those you Can have get along you will--those who can't--they can be made felt secure by giving praise and trying NOT to put them in areas or situations where they Will feel threatened!--and that YOU (yourhusband) will BE "THE ONE" that everyone WILL come to for help and guidance!

@ tell him also that in his decision--the MAIN GOAL is reached thru what's called " Work Flow " --his job is to manage every aspect of the job to ensure it RUNS : as smoothly as possible--towards a common goal--with ALL those working to be not only TOLD they are important but showed it too!--and reinforce to ALL--those who HELP with the Work flow will be helped and assisted and will advance--but I will stress to ALL THOSE TOO--I WILL "take care" of those who are NOT " Carrying" their load or are being a detriment to the work flow--you can count on that!

Also tell give the old stand-bys ; " There are no porblems--only solutions " speech- and " everybody must be handled sperately but fairly--but we all most work TOGETHER as a team".

Bosses are always interested in what YOU are going to do for THEM--and their work force--just let him know that.

Hope any of this pychobabble helps--good luck!

Me?? I rob banks myself--cuts out all this " Interviewing" nonsense and I am not a "people-person" anyhow..

Darth AirBorne


20 posted on 11/02/2005 4:21:07 PM PST by AirBorn
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