Entrepreneurship and Problem People in Orgs LO8029

Robert Bacal (dbt359@freenet.mb.ca)
Fri, 21 Jun 1996 22:14:20 +0000

Replying to LO8003 --

On 20 Jun 96 at 19:13, Rol Fessenden wrote:

> Ben says:
>>It's Robert, really!
>
> This is very true, but we need to go beyond that about the situation
> we have been discussing. We all need to recognize that some people
> need help that goes beyond the skills of a manager.

True, but the question as to whether the manager is competent or
incompetent (skilled or not skilled),is germain too, yes?

We could easily
> recognize that if a person were bleeding, we should get a doctor.
> The problem with mental/emotional dysfunctions is that we do not
> always recognize them. A person who is seriously disruptive --
> especially if this is a change in behavior -- is figuratively
> 'bleeding' -- he or she is in need, and is crying for help. This
> person needs a professional, they do not need a manager, even an
> exceptional one.

I used to teach clinical/counselling psych. And of course, you are
correct that these situations occur. I will add that I have seen
cases of staff being referred to employee assistance programs in
situations where they had no psychological problem, except having to
cope with an incompetent or abusive boss.

> It is very risky to assume that such behavior is cause for
> management to 'help. A manager needs to know when to get serious,
> professional help. You could well be playing with someone's life
> just as much as if they really were bleeding.

I agree. But I doubt that any of us could offer a professional diagnosis
without at least knowing both sides of the story. There are a number of
explanations for difficult workplace behaviour, some of which not having
much to do with acute psychological problems.

Robert Bacal, CEO, Institute For Cooperative Communication
dbt359@freenet.mb.ca, Located in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
(204 888-9290.

-- 

"Robert Bacal" <dbt359@freenet.mb.ca>

Learning-org -- An Internet Dialog on Learning Organizations For info: <rkarash@karash.com> -or- <http://world.std.com/~lo/>