Premonition

People want and need to be recognized and thanked for their efforts. To the busy executive and the harassed manager, taking time to say "Thanks" when an employee does something for which they are already being paid seems a waste of time. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Years ago, I worked for a Federal employer (who shall remain nameless) in a location that shall remain nameless. During my fifteen years with the agency, regular evaluations took the form of long critical reviews of submitted claims work. It was always negative, and even when you did really well, they always found something about which to complain. I remarked that good management technique follows the rule that you get better results with a little honey than with gallons of vinegar. At this point, our district manager said something that has stayed with me ever since: "Your reward is your paycheck - it's all you need and all you will get." Many staff left the agency during his tenure, myself included. Eventually, he was removed from his position when it was discovered that his barbaric management techniques and dark ages attitude had demoralized his staff and reduced performance to abysmal levels.

The morality tale which follows is loosely based on this true story - no names have been changed for no one was innocent...

Mick

Premonition

Long ago, I shared a premonition
With a boss who just didn't understand,
Employees need special recognition -
Just a word, or shake of the boss's hand.

He told me he thought my idea daft,
And scoffed at my simple naivete.
He just looked at my suggestion and laughed,
Then he balled it up and threw it away.

He said, "People don't work for thank-you's friend.
Their paycheck is all the reward they need."
He stalked away, as if that was the end -
And all he needed to know to succeed.

Business continued, but hadn't flourished,
When recession hit the economy.
His staff, their emotions undernourished,
Just did not respond to his anguished plea:

"We need to work harder and longer, friends,
To protect and continue your paychecks!
You understand what recession portends?"
But their fear had made them all nervous wrecks.

They might have worked harder and faster too,
Extra hours and work they might have dared.
They might have done so much more than their due,
If they thought their employer might have cared.

But their only rewards were their paychecks;
Their only payment for service and years.
And they saw no reason to risk their necks,
Or contribute their own blood, sweat, and tears.

They had worked so long without the honey,
Sweet little thank you's that make you feel good;
Some even left to work for less money,
Most, simply because they knew that they could.

Left behind were those who worked for the pay,
And didn't care about anything more -
Arriving on time and working the day,
Heading as soon as they could for the door.

I left with the rest, in the rush and press,
In the mass departure of rank and file.
I took a new job, where I made much less,
But went home each day with great big smile.

For my new employer just understood,
A simple rule that can smooth relations:
When valued employees do something good,
Be sure to give them congratulations.

Mick McKellar
December 2007