The sleepy dog: using alternative messages

George could not help but notice the sign on the door of the small country store. In big red letters is warned, "DANGER! BEWARE OF DOG!" Just inside the door was an old bloodhound sound asleep on the floor.

He chuckled as he asked the proprietor, “Is THAT the dog your sign is warning about?”

“Yes sir!” The gentleman replied with pride, “That’s Hunter and he’s been laying there most of 15 years.

“He looks so peaceful,” continued the shopper, “is he really dangerous?”

Oh, no,” said the owner, “but that sign has been a huge plus for my customers.”

To see why the sign was there, click here.

You know work teams are often the same as this illustration. You hire someone that is full of energy, like Hunter must have been when he was a puppy. Yet over time they slow down. Eventually they become like the older Hunter. People must be warned, or they will fall over them as they try to accomplish even simple tasks.

I’m not talking about lazy people. I’m talking about people that have become worn out by needless red tape. They become just like the sleeping Hunter – you have worn them out by making things harder than necessary.

The savvy supervisor knows how to keep Hunter engaged and productive. They do not push Hunter along -- they connect Hunter to the inbred desire to conquer challenges.

Why not check today to see what barriers and obstacles stand between your employee’s desire for success and actual attainment of success?

Life Lesson: Red tape is like a sleeping dog. It is an obstacle that one must always walk around.

About the author:

Rick Weaver has half a century’s experience in leadership development in retailing. He founded Max Impact Corporation, a leadership and business development consultancy company in 2002. His major accomplishments include working himself from stock clerk to director at a Fortune 50 retail chain and building a $40MM+ construction company in under 5 years. Today he works as an Executive Search Consultant matching management talent with the job culture for which they are uniquely wired.