“No, I gotta tell you, the only thing that means anything to these guys is money. If I want them to do something, I have to create a spiff, a little kicker. But you know what, even that’s not working anymore.” Roger was just trying to get one of his guys to pick up the pace, take some responsibility that might be a step up from his current responsibility.

“Have you tried lecturing?” I asked

“I don’t get it, I don’t lecture my guys. Sometimes I have to tell them what to do.” Roger was a bit defensive on this one. I knew I struck a nerve.

“So, this guy says he wants to be a supervisor?” Roger nodded, so I continued. “Have you asked him what being a supervisor means, what he thinks a supervisor should do?”

“No, but I have told him what I think. He just doesn’t listen.”

“Roger, I want you to take a different tack. Go back and talk to him again. The starting point is asking him if he wants to be supervisor. Then, ask him what the major responsibilities might be. You will be surprised at the list. It might be the same as yours.” -TF