It’s one of those “I was gonna walk my dog but it was dumping rain” mornings! Still, Good MORNING TO YOU ALL!!! Another episode of Ed-vise!
Today’s bit o trivia: Congressman Leo Joseph Ryan. He was the second member of Congress ever assassinated (the first being Jim Hinds in 1868). Ryan, in my opinion, was a unique Democrat as compared to today’s standards. During his time as an elected representative, there came about the Watts Riots. After the riots, he posed as a substitute teacher in the Watts district to find out what was going on at that level. Later, he posed as a convicted criminal to get inside Folsom Penitentiary to find out about the brutal conditions within. I can pretty much guarantee that NO sitting representative would EVER do something like that. Ryan was eventually killed in Guyana (South America) while investigating the cult founded by Rev. Jim Jones (Jonestown Massacre fame). For a later Ed-vise
Anyway…
What Would You Do Wednesday Ed-vise today
Arnold Schwarzenegger and Danny DeVito made a move called Twins. Pretty good flick. There is a scene where Arnold is confronting the bad guys (of course). He makes the following statement: “The second rule of a crisis situation: If you’re going to bluff you must be prepared to have your bluff called.”
A bluff is to fake a certain position knowing you do not have the capability to support that position. It’s not a lie so much as it is a tactic… in my opinion.
Well, because certain people do not believe they have any responsibility whatsoever to the greater good of humanity, they outright defy executive orders from the governor. Case in point the county commissioner in Clackamas Oregon who posted on facebook about hosting as big a Thanksgiving party as she wants. Side note: same commissioner is now asking for donations due to the negative feedback she is receiving. Never waste an opportunity to pass the offering plate.
So, that’s the scenario. You issue an edict to whoever you are leading. Say, as a business owner you put in place a simple rule about wearing safety glasses at all times. What will you do when someone says “I won’t do it.”
Now, keep in mind, Thanksgiving has not happened so the commissioners gathering has not occurred. So we don’t really know if it actually will happen. Further, she may have invited 200 people. Great! Doesn’t mean 200 people will show.
What to do, what to do, what to do. Point is, we don’t know what they will do. But, you can prepare yourself for what YOU would do in that situation. Walk through scenarios, conversations, steps you might take.
Here’s the thing. That person is attempting to make a big scene. If you engage them on their stage, you run the risk of losing a lot of face. I encountered a similar situation once in the workplace. I let the person make their stand on their stage. When they were done, in front of the entire group I said “we will discuss this in my office.” Huge points for me. I didn’t get flustered; I gave him his say (even listened). By not debating him on that stage I ended the act quicker than he anticipated, took him to my stage, and changed his mind. Just sayin
That’s it for today. Take care of yourselves. Check in on each other and remember that Popeye the Sailor was strong to the finish because he ate his dark leafy vegetables which were high in fiber, lowered blood pressure, good for eye health and is full of great vitamins and minerals. But that’s not how the song goes.
Peace
Ed-vise 