Friday, May 19, 2000

Hello Seattle, this is Dr. Frasier Crane, I’m listening.” 

“Dr. Crane, we have Lou on the line.  Lou is having difficulties dealing with a new employee and wants your advice.”

“Thank you Roz.  Hello Lou, I’m listening.”

“Dr. Crane, I just can’t figure it out.  We have a new employee where I work and he just can’t seem to fit in.  He’s very talented, in fact, he has a long history of success in the industry.”

“Well Lou, were there any indications from his past that he might cause strife in your company?”

“Sure.  He’s consistently caused turmoil in his past positions, but the turmoil has always been outweighed by the contributions he made to the success of the organization.  In other words, the good normally outweighed the bad.”

“Lou, have you spoken with this employee about your concerns?”

“Yes.  I’ve spoken with him.  My boss has spoken with him.  I’ve even had some of his highly successful peers here speak with him.  We’re at a loss and need some sage advice.”

“Well Lou, I think you should proceed thusly.  First, I assume this employee is making a fair amount of money?”

“Yes.”

“And I assume that this employee contributes positively to the company while he is working?”

“Yes.”

“And finally Lou, I assume that your concerns stem from the employee’s out of the office attitude and his affect on impressionable employees who haven’t yet learned the ropes?”

“Yes.  Exactly Dr. Crane.  You’ve hit the nail on the head.  What should I do?”

“Lou, the answer is simple.  You have a classic example of a spoiled brat who knows he is an asset and realizes he can get away with almost anything as long as he does his job.”

“Right.”

“You have two options.  Option one – lay down the rules and insist they are followed to the letter.  If the rules are not followed you must dismiss the employee for the good of the organization.  Option two – kick his butt.”

“By the way Lou, if you don’t mind my asking, what line of work are you in?”

“I’m a baseball manager Dr. Crane, but I can’t reveal which team I manage.”

“Lou, I think I know your situation from the newspapers.  Go with option two.”

“This is Dr. Frasier Crane signing off.”

Kelly Feasel is Associate Editor of WBBL.com

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