If ever I’ve come across a more important lesson for managers, team leaders, parents, teachers, CEO’s, and all who are responsible for the performance and growth of others, let his one be known as the “CINDER’S PRINCIPLE”
6:00 AM July 2, 2008 Arnie Sherr, President Sherr Enterprises
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/
Pig in Boots: The world's only porker who is afraid of mud
By Beth Hale http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1025428/ 8:31 PM on 10th June 2008
You can't get much happier than a pig in muck, or so we are told. But when this little piggy arrived in the farmyard she showed a marked reluctance to get her trotters dirty. While her six brothers and sisters messed around in the mire, she stayed on the edge shaking. It is thought she might have mysophobia - a fear of dirt.Owners Debbie and Andrew Keeble were at a loss, until they remembered the four miniature wellies used as pen and pencil holders in their office. They slipped them on the piglet's feet - and into the mud she happily ploughed.Now she runs over to Mr. Keeble so he can put them on for her in the morning.The couple, who run the award-winning Debbie and Andrew's sausage company in Thirsk, North Yorkshire, named the young saddleback Cinders after Cinderella and her magical glass slippers. They are using her to front a campaign to give a better deal to pig farmers. Fortunately for five-week-old Cinders, she will not end up in one of their sausages. Although they were pig farmers for 20 years, the Keebles keep them only as pets nowadays. 'I don't know what will happen as she gets bigger,' said Mr. Keeble. 'Hopefully she will grow out of her phobia of mud before she needs a new set of boots.'“Give an employee a pair of boots”June 30, 2008
Cinderella, a mud-shy piglet, was shod with four galoshes so she could overcome her fear and carry out her daily piggy responsibilities of wallowing and rolling. Cinders' owners were initially perplexed by the pig's reluctance to act like a pig, but keen observation eventually led them to realize she was afflicted with mysophobia — fear of dirt. The solution was to outfit her with a set of boots, get them on her and convince her to trot in the muck with her siblings.
The story above illustrates the compassion shown to Cinders by her sausage-making owners the Keebles, and there are also parallels to how to help others achieve their best.
Not to equate staff with swine, but a boots-wearing pig can serve as a reminder to pay attention, provide resources and coach others. Just as Cinderella couldn't communicate her mud-phobia, workers are typically reticent about vocalizing their need for help. Noticing a colleague's struggle before it reaches elevated proportions can often mean the difference between success and failure.
Once there is recognition, assess which resources are needed to move toward a solution. Will additional training, staffing, technology — or boots — help achieve the goal? Identify and then coach through the problem-solving or implementation process. The situation will be rectified; the colleague will have strengthened some individual characteristics; and rather than form resentments or miss deadlines, the team will coalesce through the coaching experience.
Robyn Greenspan
Editor-in-Chief
ExecuNet
Robyn.Greenspan@execunet.com295 Westport Avenue
Norwalk, CT 06851
800.637.3126 Arnold Sherr, President Sherr Enterprises & Associates Clearwater, FL wrote the following comment to the Keebles so they will know their story translates to such and important message. I commend Robyn Greenspan for her ability to relate the Cinder’s story to what is a dominant management deficiency. Most times a simple to-the-point story is more effective than an eight hour seminar. To Debbie and Andrew Keeble: Robyn Greenspan, Editor-in-Chief ExecuNet derived from the Keeble story an important and relevant observation of a typical but probably unrealized management deficiency. Traditional management handbooks of old dictate that managers should not involve themselves in staff person lives or challenges. To the contrary, as is derived your Cinder's story uncovering interfering personal issues most times will correct workplace deficiencies and improve staff performance and cohesiveness; like Cinders, most employees are unable to self-diagnose. Professional and interested managers look beyond the obvious. Greenspan continues: Not to equate staff with swine, but a boots-wearing pig can serve as a reminder to pay attention, provide resources and coach others. Just as Cinderella couldn't communicate her mud-phobia, workers are typically reticent about vocalizing their need for help. Noticing a colleague's struggle before it reaches elevated proportions can often mean the difference between success and failure. An FYI
