Herding People

Hi,
As a Manager that is what I do. Herd customers and employees. Customers are easy to herd. Be nice, smile and make them feel welcome. Most customers do not need a lot of extra care. They want their food hot and on time.

Employees are the other hand need a lot of extra attention, some more than others. Some are worth it, some are not. The "are nots" usually do not outnumber the "ares"
The ages of the employees makes a big difference too. Most people who work with anyone 16-25 know this. When I was 19 I had a child, was married and lived away from home. Todays 19 year old ,if lucky, is still in college and may have a girlfriend or boyfriend and will live at home for a few more years. If not lucky they will barely have graduated from High School and are working in hard jobs, like consturction or lower paying jobs and are living on their own . Most actually do OK, but in the long run they won't unless someone with money can help them out and this is usually a parent.

A lot of them have been in jail and this sadly is a way of life. Rules are hard for them to follow and sometimes they don't even know the rules. They view the world totally different than I. They give into the selfiness of youth more than my generation could. We were expected to act a certain way and for the most part we did. It is taking longer for the currant generation to come to terms with how the world operates. It is a lot harder for them than it was for me. I do not envy todays generation. It is a tough world out here and you can blame the parents and the schools, but truthfully its all adults in authority, whether it be parents, teachers, or employers
They are not hopeless or stupid. They are undisiplined. Its a hard lesson.

Sometimes at work when I have to take someone aside and talk to them about their behavior they have a look on thier face that says they have no idea what I am trying to tell them. I was taught as a Manager that the only way to change behavior is to get the person to see what is wrong so they can change it. It takes a long time for some young people to even see what is wrong , but if you can get them to see your point of view it is awesome.

Its way I love herding.

The Dog Walker