February 12, 2007.
"By all means move at a glacial pace. You know how that thrills me." Miranda Priestley
Having been a huge fan of the book, The Devil Wears Prada (http://www.devilwearspradamovie.com/), and then the movie....My aunt and I love to quote the bitchy and often misunderstood Miranda Priestly. Um, NO not to the people I work with - in jest, joking, mostly in email. Miranda had the best lines!
After the movie came out and was a big smash, there were all kinds of articles and interviews about whether you had to be a bitch to be successful. Were you a bitchy boss? Were you a good boss? Whether you could be good and not be bitchy? Should you be bitchy? Are you bitchy? I read them all, and tried to absorb all the nuggets of information regarding female bosses - we tended to get a bad rap after that movie.
Which brings me to today: I need to be the bitch. I need to have some 'discussions' and some conversations with some people. Without incriminating the innocent it is really not a big deal, just some un-discussed and un-clear job requirements. The stuff of work, the stuff of businesses, the stuff of an HR department!
It would be very easy for me to just let it slide (again) and ignore the situation (again) and not address the quality of work (again). However, I feel as a successful manager and business owner I owe it to myself and my company to address the problems.....er challenges.
"The details of your incompetence do not interest me" Miranda Priestley
Some advice I am trying to follow on dealing with uncomfortable and unchartered conversations:
- Rehearse what you want to discuss
- Meet in private, not in front of others
- Stay calm
- Stay on topic
- State very clearly what the problem is
- State the solution or discuss the possible solutions
- Have a time frame for this "resolution" to take place
- Let them state their case, and defend there actions if they so wish
- Make it short and sweet
- Do not cry
- Do not yell
Okay, I can now write that on my arm Ala biology exam and check it when I am having my meetings this week. My only saving grace is people I work with have NO problem letting me know when I am not acting professional or gracious or kind. So....it is my turn. In the long run I know it will be for the best. But I still feel bad about it, and dread it. Guess we all hate confrontation - heh?
"That's all." Miranda Priestley
I'm going to rent it right now. The b*tch that I am. I love that movie and I've earned the right to enjoy it! LOL! You go girl. We all have our moments and there's a reason we earn the big bucks. Oh wait, I'm choking on something...........
Posted by: LondonE | February 12, 2007 at 07:07 PM