Managing Sticky Situations at Work

Sticky Situations with Subordinates 93Robert sighs. ‘‘This isn’t camp. I know you want to believe that Ican get through this, but I’ve looked at every option. I brought thebooks for you to examine for yourself. Sam, you can’t talk me out ofthis, the bar is going on the market in August. I’ve already listed itwith a Realtor. I have no choice.’’ (Confirms action with statistics,facts—Step 2.)Sam wipes the sweat from his forehead. He gets up and walkstoward the window and studies the books. ‘‘I just know I could’vemade this place go.’’‘‘Yeah, I know you could’ve, too. It’s just I can’t be there to supportit. I’m sorry I let you down, Sam.’’They both remain quiet for several minutes.‘‘Let’s talk about what you might do,’’ Robert says. (Invites Sam tolook at possibilities—Step 3.)‘‘What’s there to talk about? I’m going to stay here. Maybe the newowners will want me to continue. I don’t see I have a choice.’’‘‘That’s certainly a possibility but probably a temporary one. Youcan’t be sure the new owners won’t want to bring in their own management.Let’s look at some other alternatives. What else might youlike to do?’’‘‘Look, Robbie, at my age I just can’t start polishing up my résumé.Nobody wants to hire an old guy like me. Furthermore, who do Iknow in this town? You and all your friends? That’s about it. If I don’tstay at the bar, I’m lost.’’‘‘It seems that way now. But look, Sam, you’ve already made manyconnections here. You’ve got so much talent. If you hadn’t moved,what had you intended to do? You weren’t happy in your old job.Surely there was something else you considered doing.’’‘‘Well, I explored starting a Web design business, but I never reallygave it serious thought.’’‘‘Maybe that’s an option for you. The school is looking for someoneto handle technology, but they don’t want to hire a full-time person.Maybe you’d like to give that a go considering all the technologyexperience you’ve got.’’Sam’s shoulders rise slightly. ‘‘I suppose I could look at developinga contract business and work out of our house.’’‘‘You could do that even if you stay at the bar for a while. Let’s makea plan of action.’’ (Resolving the issue and co-creating an actionplan—Step 4.)