Managing Sticky Situations at Work

Sticky Situations with Subordinates 89we’ve seen over and over with the SIJR Model, you need to encouragedialogue. Do not make all the suggestions and assume the personwants you to take control. Harkins adds that once all possibilities areclear, be willing to make calls or refer prospects.Step 4: Join with the person to set up a clear action plan. How willyou help with that plan? What will they do? What are the time frames?Finally, Harkins says one of the worst things you can do is leave someonefeeling as if there is no place to turn. Make sure you clarify a planand the person recognizes that this situation is not the end of theworld. In the SIJR Model this facet occurs in the resolution stagewhere we work with the other person to resolve the issue in a mannerthat clarifies options.STICKY SITUATION #11:TELLING YOUR BROTHER HIS JOB IS GONERobert teaches eleventh grade math. He’s been teaching fornearly 15 years. Two years ago he purchased a bar/pool hall. Thisestablishment was located in an excellent business district. Robertsaw it as a chance to increase his income. When he first boughtthe property, he retained the previous managers of the bar, andthey paid him rent on the building. Those managers, however,violated liquor licensing laws and vacated the premises. Oncethat happened, Robert faced two choices. He could either hirenew managers or manage the bar himself. Since his school hoursdid not conflict with the bar hours, he chose the more profitableoption: manage the bar himself.Robert’s older brother, Sam, is in his late fifties and looking fora lifestyle change. Because he and his wife love the communitywhere Robert lives, Robert offered Sam the opportunity to moveand to run the bar. Six months ago Sam started as the new barmanager.Sam has done a great job running the daily operations of thebar. He hires and fires staff; he keeps the bar stocked with foodand beverages; he manages the special evening events; he maintainsthe records. In fact, Sam does everything Robert has askedhim to do. But, Robert has poured all his savings into the operationof the bar, and it still loses money every month. People comethere to play pool and hang out but do not eat or drink enough