Comments | wordswoman: The value of failure

wordswoman

The value of failure

Jan 24, 2012 19:48

Last academic term, I had recurring problems with student workers underperforming. They didn't show up (and didn't send word about why). Or they showed up and looked industrious, but failed to complete tasks & projects in anything approaching a timely manner.

Finally, I had to fire one and take another to task. The one taken to task responded with a ( Read more... )

Comments 5

buymeaclue January 25 2012, 02:36:33 UTC

That is an excellent and compassionate lecture, and I thank you for the reminder, and hope that your worker is able to hear it - but if not yet, I am sure it will bounce around in the back of his head and be there when he is.

wordswoman January 25 2012, 03:56:28 UTC

Alas, he chose to quit. But I hope he learned a few things that will serve him well in future real-world jobs.

(The comment has been removed)

wordswoman January 25 2012, 04:02:13 UTC

I wouldn't be quite as reasonable if a regular employee behaved that way. But student workers...they're not fully formed yet, y'know? Campus jobs are like bikes with training wheels.

I'm awed. hilarymoonmurph January 25 2012, 04:59:15 UTC

You're the best boss ever.

montera January 26 2012, 10:42:30 UTC

I had a similar problem with one of my student workers. He just dropped off the face of the Earth and stopped communicating, and when I kept pressing him to just contact me and let me know what the status was, he sheepishly confessed that he had been ashamed to let me know he'd failed to do the task. I had to explain that it was essential that he let me know because then I could get someone else to do it. And then I explained that it's OK for him to let me know if a particular project is too much to handle because we can make adjustments-but I can't help in any way if I don't know there's a problem ( ... )