Out and about today, I passed our towns
only Popeye Chicken emporium, recently opened, and stopped on impulse. I like
their chicken, but not their sides. Used the drive thru and the problem began.
I wanted four pieces of chicken only, no sides, and no drinks. The order taker
was flustered and directed me to the window.
At the window I ended up talking to three
different young ladies. Clearly, what I wanted wasn’t on their touch screen.
“OK, I said, “Give me a four piece combo
and don’t bring any sides”.
This brought stares from the three
gathered around the touch screen, then stares at the screen, and then stares at
each other. I don’t know what they decided as I put the car in drive and left.
At my advanced age, I won’t put up with
poorly trained employees who won’t take initiative.
As a
supervisor I never berated an employee who took initiative and made a mistake. It
was my fault for not training them properly. To those whom I reported, I took
the blame.
Something
I took away from my military service, “Loyalty Up, Loyalty Down.
My
conversation with the employee usually went along these lines.
“You had
a tough situation that you weren’t trained to handle, but you did your best and
I appreciate your initiative. If the situation occurs again, what I would like
for you to do is ………….”.
If you
are a supervisor who won’t take the blame for a subordinates’ error, you don’t
deserve to be a supervisor. You certainly don’t deserve any credit for their
wins.
Addendum: What I'm having for supper.
Addendum: What I'm having for supper.
