7
Ken:
What’s wrong with it? The editor asked for 10 tries and I
gave him 16!
Coach:
I noticed that. Editors always appreciate extras — but I
also noticed in his requisition that he asked for some of
that newer metric copy like you did during the fall
season’s brainstorm session last month.
Ken:
That stuff takes time, John. Maybe if he saw what I’ve
done, he’d like it okay.
Coach:
He might. But doing that wouldn’t line up with our team
mission statement ... the part that says we will “meet and
exceed requisitions with the best, most original material
we can create.” You wrote that, as I recall?
Ken:
Ouch!
Coach:
I think a couple more of those newer approaches would be
all this assignment needs to be “dynamite,” to use your
word. And we’re still two days away from the due date.
Ken:
Okay. I’ll do it. But you’re a hard man.
Coach:
Only because you’ve helped me recognize excellent copy-
writing when I see it.
Notice how this confrontation doesn’t focus as much on the
project deficiency as it does on the coach’s pride in and
expectations of the employee? A coach always urges on his team
to be the best it can be — and that occasionally calls for
“corrective inspiration.”
Don’t ever hesitate to ask your team for its best. When they
give it, they’ll always be glad they did!
Managing Within the StaffCoaching™ ModelDon’t ever hesitate
to ask your team
members for
their best.