I learned my first Management truth -Most people want to be treated with respect, make a fair wage, and understand how decisions that affect them and their job are made. What a revelation! It couldn’t possibly be that simple, could it?

Towards the end of my tenure I got to experience the right way to do very difficult things like terminate an employee’s job and retain their dignity and look at issues from multiple viewpoints. During the first 18 months there we hired continuously, during the last year a miscalculation with our strategic plan resulted in the bottom falling out for us and my getting a chance to “outplace” many of the employees I had participated in hiring. I learned there is a way to do that with dignity, respect, and fairness.

Management truth- The most important audience during a situation where you end an employee’s relationship with your organization are those employees who remain, followed by potential future employees who seek out former employees to get the “straight” story. Employees will forgive you for taking away their job- they won’t forgive you for taking away their self respect.

New book coming soon!