One way to handle a high maintenance person

Six years ago, I volunteered for a group that included what many people called a difficult person. He expected special treatment, made a lot of noise, was pretty irritating at times, but was also valuable in many ways.

I was counseled by numerous people on how to handle him, ranging from "stay out of his way" to "kick him out."

Honestly, as I considered what to do, I felt frustrated, because it seemed no matter what advice I took, it would turn out undesirable.

So I did one thing that turned out pretty good: I treated him exactly like everyone else - not better, not worse, not more special or less special. I treated him the same. This approach was not supported by several of my cohorts, because they told me it would never work.

Well, it worked. And for the next year or two we were together, he was less maintenance than ever and still contributed. I never told him I was treating him the same, he just saw that it was the case. He never commented on it, never complained and, if anything, he was better than ever for our group.

Sometimes, we are intimidated and actually contribute to how difficult a person can be. In a way, I just played dumb (easy for me) and didn't consider his ego or the egos of others and played by the rules. It also kept all of the other guys' egos (including mine) in line, too.


Barry LaBov
LaBov and Beyond Marketing Communications
www.labov.com

We're no longer an island

I just returned from two weeks in Africa. It was the trip of a lifetime, not only for the safari, but for the hope I felt coming from the people there.

We visited a school in Botswana, an HIV-ravaged country, yet the people there feel proud. They told me they are a "rich nation," and the school was impressive. The students learn English in third grade. They're well behaved. Their curriculum is similar to ours in the states. These are future leaders in our world.

In Cape Town, South Africa, we visited an orphanage, again affected by the HIV epidemic (half the babies, toddlers and teens are infected at the orphanage), yet there is hope - people are pitching in, they have tolerance for each other and are fluent in at least two languages.

As an old codger, I've looked at the USA as the center of the universe. It's humbling and inspiring to see that the world is much more than just us.


Barry LaBov
LaBov and Beyond Marketing Communications
www.labov.com

Too much going on to think?

With the economy moving at a slow pace, you'd think this would be the time that we stop and access where we're going.

But, of course, that isn't the case, because many of us are busier than ever trying to generate business, to speed up the pace of progress.

If there ever was a time to stop and think, it's now: Do you have the right client mix? Are you focusing on the right opportunities? Is your work at the highest level and, if not, what is needed to improve it? Are your best people aware of your appreciation and do they know where you're company is headed?

The list could go on, but right now it is far too easy to keep pushing and making it through one more day. It's time to make sure your activity is focused.


Barry LaBov
LaBov & Beyond Marketing Communications
www.labov.com