Angry White Guy Demographics

The profile of your headache.

In your company there is a person who is giving you problems. The song he sings goes like this. We're owned and run by idiots, we make bad product, our customers are clueless, and I'm surrounded by incompetents.

Let me be a mind reader and tell you what he, (yes he), looks like. Mostly male, (not usually female although I know of a couple of cases), is caucasian, between 35 and 45 years of age, has been with your company between 8 and 15 years, doesn't exercise and it shows, seems to favour Super Store clothing, and definately has plateaued. This angry white guy has not made peace his life, middle age has set in, and he begins acting out in your company. Roughly, in my experience, that's the pattern.

At yesterday's seminar 130 people grinned uncomfortably as I told them this story. The short answer for dealing with this person is to remind them that with a paycheque comes the requirement to keep the work moving, and not block it. No matter how cute and devious a method they originate for blocking the work, (silent treatment, hostliity, anti social, bad mouthing the company, etc.) it all goes to the same place, - they are blocking the workflow.

When you get in the way of productivity, no matter how you get there, that's called insubordination which can pave the way for dismissal for cause.

I wouldn't coach or performance manage this person. Take a note from Ceasar Milan, (the dog guy), stop talking and just get into his space. This is an alpha problem.

On a personal note to the angry white guy, - what's the end game here? I'll fill in the blanks. You end up with a red circle around your payroll number with some other guy saying, "we've got to do something about this fool." Sooner or later, you'll be right. Your company is stupid, - how else could they have fired you?

In November our subject is Performance Reviews. You will get blindsided by the simplicity, effectiveness and unconventional approach to getting some accountability in place, and even a paper trail for further action. We'll be full to the rafters. Have been every year so book your seats very early.
Thank you
Wolfgang

p.s. To those of you who attended Sept. 15th at the Planetarium , yes we ended up with 130 managers in the room! Thank you for being there, and thank you for singing happy birthday to me. It's never happened in 14 yrs, you are the first crowd to do that, - and thank you Dann Konkin, Pres. Ampco!
p.s. Always, I do not give legal opinions. Ask your lawyer about your situation before you act on any employee.
p.s. If you're among the few companies who have recieved and booked a guest seat and pull a "no show, " you will be blacklisted for six months from attending any of our seminars. If you must, cancel 24 hrs ahead of time please. We need every seat. Thank you.

The Fine Art of Metrik's Matchmaking Skills!

Last Saturday I attended a landmark event. Landmark, in my mind but more importantly, landmark for the two main participants, the bride and groom. Two people stood in front of the assembled friends and family, making their vows to each other for a lifetime. In a beautiful outdoor garden setting under the August sun, sincere tears flowed. I have lived my life and am not moved easily but this was the most sincere, honest wedding I've ever attended. It was, one from the heart, all the way around, they meant every word they said. Lise Maass and Ray Jourdain married, and are now man and wife. Congratulations.

Sooo, now the rest of the story. Two years ago at our Surrey breakfast seminar, Lise came through the door, found a table, said good morning, sat down. I've known her for years. The room started to fill, Ray arrived a little later, (not late), also someone I'd know for a few years, got his coffee and sat down as well. But wise dog that he is, - he sat at Lise's table. I did my seminar, the crowd dispersed. Later that day, Ray called me and asked if I could connect him to the "beautiful young lady" at his table that morning. With Lise's guarded ok, (Ray, I had to sell you a bit), I connected the two. Everything else is history. No charge, all I ask is that you name your firstborn after me.

Congratulations to a beautiful couple. Lise and Ray I wish you all the happiness in the world in your new life together! Congratulations.

Here's the management lesson. At Metrik we will find you the right person, whether employee or life partner. Apparently we're pretty good at both. Secondly, have girls not boys. Every daughter you have will add 75 weeks to your life expectancy, (see below).

Congratulations to both of you. See you and everybody else for breakfast for many more years. All the best.

Sincerely,
Wolfgang

p.s. Want to live longer? Have more daughters. I’m going to live longer than you and here’s why. Statistically, every daughter you have adds 75 weeks to your life expectancy. During my long flight to Newfoundland I read a great new book entitled “The Blue Zone, lessons for living longer from people who’ve lived the longest” and that’s what it told me. Great book by the way. I have three daughters and one newborn grand daughter, how about you?