Working with IDIOTS?

November 2008
The funny thing about idiots in the workplace... they don't suspect they are considered this way. Seriously, having now worked with thousands of people as a consultant, I am more convinced than ever that these "special" people think they are doing an adequate, if not better, job each day.

Don't laugh out loud, but the person in the office or cubicle next to you may very well be one of these "idiots" and they don't realize the rest of you consider them this way. What may be even funnier...what if it isn't "them"?

We don't show up to work thinking about being idiots. We are truly "clueless" in most instances when it comes to how others really view us as coworkers. Idiots come in all shapes and positions. They can be CEOs, secretaries or engineers. They can be bosses, assistants or salesman. Yes, this affliction can impact anyone and they don't even feel the symptoms. Unfortunately, it is the rest of us that suffer the pain of our idiot coworkers.

Is there a cure? Can you fix an idiot? Can you fix stupid? You know the answer. While there is no miracle cure, we can provide therapies that lessen the impact of the disease on the rest of us. Following are five things that minimize the impact from idiots in the workplace:

1) Effective meetings reduce the impact idiots have on the rest of the team by creating clear action items that must be clarified before the meeting is over.

2) Effective communication forces clarification of the "Huh and What" that we usually feel after an idiot encounter.

3) Using technology like "outlook tasks" and "emails" reduce the amnesia that most idiots experience.

4) Promoting true accountability forces systems that minimize excuses. Remember, idiots were blessed with 3-5 times as many excuses as the rest of us.

5) Provide as much training as you can for your team. While you cannot provide a cure, effective training seems to cover the idiot symptoms and reduces the pain for the rest of us.

GCI Leadership Series

The GCI Leadership Series is a customized program that helps organizations (large and small) answer these questions. This program builds from the basic challenges facing most organizations today.

This series of courses in highly interactive setting utilizes role-playing, coaching and case studies to provide attendees with proven tools to make a difference on the job. Attendees have fun while learning life skills to be leaders on and off the job.

Course attendees will have an immediate impact by applying a set of core values that can dramatically improve the future of your organization by challenging the status quo and setting the stage for a culture shift. If your organization can improve bottom line performance, this series is a must for your team.