Managing Sticky Situations at Work

92 Managing Sticky Situations at Worknot going to do it anymore. I think they’re nearly bankrupt. Anyway,this is a great chance for us to get a huge boost.’’‘‘Sam, I’m finished. I don’t think you get it. I can’t go on. I broughtthe figures in for you to look at for yourself. This will show you howmuch debt I’ve gotten myself into. I simply can’t put any more moneyin it. It’s gotten way out of control. I’ve decided I have no choice butto sell the bar.’’ (Specifies the problem with facts and statistics.)‘‘Come on, Robbie, you can hang in there longer. Everybody knowsit takes more than two years to get a new business going. Look at thestatistics. Remember when dad started the car shop? He nearly wentbankrupt in the first few years. But, then everything evened out. Mostsmall businesses don’t make any money in the first two years. We’veactually made a little, particularly since I’ve been here. You’ve onlyhad control of the bar for eight months. Give it a couple of years andyou’ll have more money than you can count. This place has real potential.You know it and so do I.’’Robert gets up and paces around the room. ‘‘I don’t have two years.I can’t borrow any more money without going bankrupt. It’s over forme. I’m going to put the bar on the market at the end of August.’’‘‘I can’t believe you’re quitting. You’re not a quitter. I’ve neverknown you to just give up like this. What you need is a good accountantwho can help you shift money around. I’ve got a guy I worked within Philly. Let me give him a call. He knows how to work miracles. I bethe’s just what you need. There’s no need to rush into this decision.’’‘‘Sam, you are not listening to what I am saying. What have I justsaid to you?’’ (Asks questions to confirm understanding—Step 1.)‘‘You said you are quitting. That’s what I’ve heard.’’‘‘No, Sam, that’s not what I said. I said I have no more resources.The money is gone. I’d love to keep going, and if I had the resources,I would. But, I don’t, and you don’t either. We’ve got to face reality.We can’t keep this place operating. I’m very sad that you got mixedup in this with me. I would give anything if you had not come downhere, but you are here. We must figure out what you are going todo.’’ (Joins feelings with facts.)‘‘Remember when you were a kid and you didn’t want to go tocamp that first year, and dad made you go? I’ll never forget walkingyou up the dirt path. I had to nearly push you. But once you got there,you loved it. Remember? This is the same thing. I’ll be here to helpyou out, Robbie. We can get through this. The two of us could conquerthe world.’’