Things Change

[Sarxis]

Re: Things Change

Originally posted by Pekka

I don't know what is changing me slowly. Keep discussing, I need to get ready for the party!

Can a leopard change its spots? No, but God has a way of changing peoples hearts and minds; gives them a clearer view on things so that they see the truth.

I know one of the things that changed in me was I started considering the feelings and lives of others. I began to really consider people's suffering and loss, and that every tragedy in the world really doesn't deserve a joke - that people just like me were in pain.

Why the change? It wasn't something that I mustered up, but an opening of 'my eyes' to see things in a better light.

[Heresson]

I used to be very anticlerical and supported abortion

[Solly]

I changed my mind on Blair. Cameron

[Elok]

Eh, I gave up any minor qualms I might have had about evolution a year ago. Before I thought the fundies might have had sort of a half of a point somewhere in their argument, but should stfu just because it wasn't that big a deal. Now I've realized they don't have any point at all and just need to stfu, period. They're just giving ammo to atheists who like to argue that we're all that stupid.

[Chemical Ollie]

I was right-wing and pro-american for all my life until GWB introduced the steel tariffs (what a commie!). And I still am conservative in many issues that are rarely debated on poly' (like feminism etc).

And then came the 9/11 attacks. While I was somewhat concerned about the victims and their families, I found myself being more angry about the American response I was expecting (I had a scheduled US trip two weeks after). I thought "This will change America into something I won't like". And I was correct.

[Mercator]

Re: Things Change

Originally posted by Pekka
But now.. I don't know. I couldn't have it done myself. If I knew I had a baby with someone by accident even, I would most likely demand that we must have it. I know, you guys go 'uhh what about the woman rights11'. But.. I don't know.

What about rape?

[Pekka]

undecided. I'm not necessary against morning pills, you know, next morning, you were raped, eat the pill. But all in all I'm undecided on that one as how I would react to it and my partner was raped. Would I want her to take the chance that she got pregnant, because afterwards when time passes, it would be more problematic to get rid of it.

But would I say to her that we should keep the baby if it comes? I don't know. I guess that's a situation that I would need to go through, I can't speculate this one. Of course I couldn't make someone have that baby, but would I recommend to have it that is and I hope I am never in that situation (of rape).

[Grandpa Troll]

Employee Dismissals

I have over 40 people that report to me. This includes 3 managers.
I have been an Area Manager for over 10 years.

I used to get bummed out having to terminate people. This changed when I read a Human Relations article that explained it that just the same way that you as a manager dont do it all, you simply help guide the process of your operation, recognizing and rewarding individuals for their committment and contributions to your operation, you also need to allow dead weight to be cut free.

I have really worked on training and equipping my people. I have tried to share the so called big picture and thus allowing other to be more involved in the process.

I have changed my viuews now and no longer feel "I" have fired anyone, the individuals terminate themselves from failing to meet the minimum acceptqance criteria or on a rare occassion violate company policy.

This has been a blessing for I have only had a couple people in last 6 years or so do this, I believe for work flow impact such as laying out of work or continual tardiness, which is lazy and unacceptable.

I have changed my managing from the "reactive" to the "proactive", I include training using all employees to help train, even simple issues, all can help contribute. SAll are accountable.

I have also been shown the light over the years from mistakes a "Boss" makes to the "success's" a "Leader" enjoys!

I do appreciate my people I work with. I tell them repeatedly that we all are in this together, no one individual is greater than the mission and all have the responsibility to "Grab an Oar" and start rowing.

You see when the boat sinks or even slows because of damage to the hull or taking on water, all aboard suffer, not just the guilty. I try to help my people see what is happening in advance to help keep us afloat and doing so efficiently



Ok

This is what I have changed from, being a Boss to being a Leader.

Gramps

[Zkribbler]

If the managers around here would follow your example membership in my union would drop to nothin'.

[Grandpa Troll]

Originally posted by Zkribbler
If the managers around here would follow your example membership in my union would drop to nothin'.

Its a challenge sir, but for real its too much work to "BOSS" but so much more easier to "Lead"

I am blessed to have a lot of retired Marines on my staff of employees.

They know about the term Mission.

Its not rocket science, simply do your job.

I have read several books, and 3 that have helped immensly (outside the Bible which does help me rememebr how to treat people )

One Minute Manager-Ph.D. Kenneth Blanchard,MD Spencer Johnson

Dont Sweat The Small Stuff- Richard Carlson,PH-D

Good To Great-Jim Collins

All give advice, you still have to implement and tweak, but for real, my best efforts have come through sharing of information and explaining why everyone needs to be a part.

I alos have found that employees (and yes I am one also) see consistency as a benchmark to judge you by, and as long as I have been fair and impartial then minimal negative feedback.

I get approached sometimes when employees say your not fair because you let this one off for hunting or that one off for fishing or that one off for a new car shopping, ect.

I get them all in a meeting and explain to them, without naming names or instances, that each employee has come to me and requested something important to be off for and although it isnt important to person #7 what employee # 27 wants, we need to be respectful of each other.

I am blessed to have had minimal race relationships arise, once it did and I told this individual quickly, VERY quickly, when he come to me we have two colors, Tan and Blue, the color of our trucks. I remind my managers that not only wrong but the "appearance " of wrong can be perceived and misunderstood, listen to what is being said.

Its awesome managing people, I take it personally and with great weight and personally getting involved in helping make work a better enviroment.

I tell them point blank in meetings, "Guys, we have a job to do, bottom line, sometimes we do things we dont want to but it is required to complete the task"

Honesty seems to be a trait men can embrace, me, I wouldnt have it any other way!

Gramps

[Sava]

hmmmmmm


I don't know... my opinions are the result of a long time of thinking. I've thought a lot about my positions and formed my opinions as the result of my experience or because of things that I have learned.

I can't say that there are any major issues that I have changed my mind on. My stances are not just knee-jerk reactions... they are genuinely well thought out. For me to change a stance, some radically new information would have to come to my attention.

IMO, if people have such weak convictions that they can just arbitrarily change their minds about important issues, then it makes me respect them less. It also makes me think that they are probably a morons. I mean, how much thought did a person put into a stance in the first place if they just one day say, "okay, I feel the opposite now"...

flip floppers

[Grandpa Troll]

Originally posted by Sava
I mean, how much thought did a person put into a stance in the first place if they just one day say, "okay, I feel the opposite now"...

maybe called maturity,open mindedness,ability to evolve,ability to be taught,to learn,maybe.just maybe a tike doesnt know as much as an elementary student

maybe just maybe a high school freshman doesnt know as much as a senior in a university?

flip floppers

on an everyday basis, I agree..I just would not say someone is a flip-flopper for changing their mind once enlightened

[Sava]

Originally posted by Grandpa Troll


maybe called maturity,

/me points to the thread starter

Also, as one gets older, the brain does not produce new brain cells (IIRC). That's something to consider when judging the value of "maturity" (another word for being old).

open mindedness,ability to evolve,ability to be taught,to learn,maybe.

And it's not that I don't have those qualities. As I said, if new information comes to my attention, or if I have new experiences, I will re-evaluate my stances and values.

However, in the absences of such things, I don't understand how someone can arbitrarily change their stances. That's where I start to question the person's intelligence.

[pchang]

One would hope that you get new information and experiences every day....

[Grandpa Troll]

Originally posted by pchang
One would hope that you get new information and experiences every day....

indeed sir indeed!!