For example, when I get down to my last two bottles of
conditioner in the drawer, I make sure I throw some new ones in my cart on my
next shopping trip (my two girls and I have long hair, we get through a LOT of
conditioner!)
Last week, though, when everyone seemed to start the day
with chapped lips or come home with grazed knees, I realized that I’d run out
of my favorite “go-to” ointment, a tube of which travels around with me in my
handbag.
I’d been squeezing tiny amounts out of the tube for a while,
intending to get a fresh tube out of the drawer, “next time”, so when I realized
we had none left I resorted to getting the kitchen scissors out, cutting
through the tube to extract the final few dabs to soothe my son’s scuffed-up
shin.
The whole episode got me thinking about how this applies to
the workplace. Usually I wouldn’t go to such drastic measures. I’d typically
give up after a few firm squeezes and accept that the tube would go into the
trash with a little bit left. On this occasion, I was determined to get every
last drop I could.
What do you think the work environment would be like if
people were treated like my ointment tube?
When should we stop squeezing time and energy out of people on a regular
basis? Is it acceptable to do this or expect this type of practice to happen on
very rare occasions?
S_G
