Employees: Do You Take This Person?
It’s amazing to me how the employer/employee relationship resembles the development of some romantic relationships.
I don’t mean an actual “chasing around the desk” cliche, I mean the emotions and thought processes that we may have known when pursuing a potential partner.
First there’s the kinetic excitement of the intial flirting: “Nice resume, you went to Yale?..what did you major in?.”
Then there’s the innocuous ‘get to know you’ lunch (as dinner would be too soon). “No. shut-up! You like marketing reports? I love, love, love! marketing reports!”
Then it gets a little more serious. “Can you swing by tomorrow and show me your direct mail samples?”
And so on…until you pop the question: “When can you start?”
In the beginning of the work relationship the other person can do no wrong, and he or she thinks the same about you. Suddenly, there are little blips on the screen that signal maybe you didn’t know this person as well as you thought you did:
The employee starts showing up for meetings unprepared, then there was the time she embarrassed you at a firm party, and why did I never notice how dumb her jokes are?
The luster is wearing off and you find out that there has been some potential cheating…you heard through the grapevine that another firm is on the prowl.
Finally, that dreaded phrase…”I’m just not that into you…”
Time to start the search all over again…oh, the heart ache!
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POSTED IN: Fabulous Coffee Break, Fabulous Work Life Balance
2 opinions for Employees: Do You Take This Person?
Christine Kane
Sep 7, 2006 at 10:29 am
This is hysterical. And ohmigod, so horrifically true. I think it’s more true for women though. I fired my office person, and it was EXACTLY this pattern. I learned a lot, but it wore me out. My male friends who have employees just shook their heads and told me I was WAY too personal with my employee (okay, there’s TWO of us in my office. how on earth do you NOT get personal?) and in the end they were right. I’m really scared to hire the next person… Thanks for the post!
Kim
Sep 7, 2006 at 10:41 am
Hi Christine,
The most important thing here is that you’ve learned…how to prepare yourself for the next round of hiring.
Thanks for the kind words…and the next time, just hire a Sr. citizen…I’m serious.
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