How Should I get the best out of the people that work for me

[steve]

Hi everybody

I have some people that work for me and they are friends I did a reading a while back as to whether or not I should have this paticular person work and the Yi advised against but because this friend of mine needed a job, I gave it to him he has hlped me through some tough times but on ther other hand he tends to like a beer and so do I.

I have another freind also that wants to do some work for me he is good at what i do and knows the business and can make himself and my business allot of money but last time he worked for me we had a massive argument.
Both these guys are my friends and could make things work but it is hard to be the "boss sometimes and be taken seriously.

I have just taken on great contract and the sky is the limit and I really want to make the most from this I really do feel like its a make or break situation and I am 41 now and these types of opportunitys dont come everyday I know that

How can I get the best from my workers

1.2.5>30

Is the Yi saying I need to be firm in a way that is setting an example not go for a beer and be stronger and the rest will fall into place but its other issues like how to be firm without offending i have one of them sometimes turning up when he wants or more to the point treating the job not as serious as I would like but i mean you can have that from any worker because at the end of the day its my business not theirs.

Thanks for any help
Steve:bows:



I dont understand 30 although i like the sound of the lines

 

[meng]

Hi Steve,

It's a fine line, isn't it? The best modern parody of the boss who needs to be liked has to be Michael from the network series The Office. Michael doesn't really define the word "creative" in any real significant sense, but he's constantly conjuring up little schemes and reasons to bond with his staff. Of course his staff reads it as weakness, not creative in the hex 1 sense.

So there has to be something substantial to let "the gang" know, that this is important to you and that you take it very seriously, and that friendships aside, you insist on excellent performance from all who are on the bus, no exceptions.

Having beers together isn't an issue for everyone. But that is a special skill some leaders have, to party with them without making them feel self conscious, and yet not compromise their leadership. Notice I did not say merely their leadership position, I said their leadership. That is the light of 30. A leader doesn't have to rely on their position to command respect.

But it's a fine line, and not easy to be both their friend and their boss.

 

[steve]

Haha the office

Yea i think they know deep down its important to me but I think they need to really see it like what you are saying from 30 if they can see it from every angle "at worK" then it would work
The lines are saying this could work buts it up to me
would be intereseted in hearing any more observation

hahaha michael i hope not, thanks for the reply meng

 

[fkegan]

Haha the office

Yea i think they know deep down its important to me but I think they need to really see it like what you are saying from 30 if they can see it from every angle "at worK" then it would work
The lines are saying this could work buts it up to me
would be intereseted in hearing any more observation

hahaha michael i hope not, thanks for the reply meng

Hi Steve,
The traditional business adage is that its heaven being friendly with your work associates and hell trying to do business with friends. Your situation seems to be an excellent example of the problems of trying to get work done with friends who think they are there primarily to have a beer with you.

If you can afford to hire an office manager, that is one solution--but it has to be clear that manager is taking a business only approach and will fire anyone whose productivity is poor.
Your question was how to get the best from your workers.
The Oracle answer of hex 1.2,5 >> 30 would say the situation is hex 1 Sunshine or pure process without any grounding. The will line pair is moving or dissolving and the resultant is hex 30--clinging, fire. Hex 30 is either the passage of time shown by the sun moving from sunrise to sunset or the bright light of fire that clings to the logs that are burning and destroys them.

Overall, personally, I would take the Yi answer to indicate it would take supernatural process and sage guidance to turn your friends into good workers. You mention that one friend needs a job, the other mostly relates to you as someone to have a beer with. And you think a Yi oracle can change their attitude to where they would be efficient employees? The oracle already told you the first one was unsuitable and you know the second would rather argue with you than accept you as his boss.

Frank

 

[my_key]

How can I get the best from my workers

1.2.5>30

Hi Steve

It's always a difficult situation combining work and friendship especially when you are the boss. Although you talk about 2 friends in particular your question appears to be more general. Perhaps the Yi is answering you here in a more general sense

I can get the best from my workers by.......

being yourself and showing honesty and hard endeavour in all you do. Surround yourself with the best people you can. Allow them to contribute to the best of their ability, How you act and behave towards them will get the best out of the people you employ. Your enthusiasm, how you behave and your values will be infectious to those who work for you.

Then again, maybe that is also referring to the situation you have with your friends.

Mike

 

[willowfox]

How can I get the best from my workers 1.2.5>30

You are the dragon, you have to show these guys that you are serious, that work time is not play time, that you are all there for a common purpose, to make money, so it is you that has to lead by example, you have to set yourself high standards to follow, and thus show the others that you are dedicated to making the business a success. Rise above the old pals thing, rise above the office politics, motivate these people by being an outstanding and disciplined worker yourself.
Hex 30 just says that you all need each other to make this job work, and again you make it work by example.

 

[fkegan]

Hi Steve,
If you are able to make any change with your two friends who now outnumber you at work, I would be most impressed. You might wish to take this long weekend to think about your business and what it needs to fulfill your major contract and what would make that impossible.

The fact that your latest hire, your beer buddy who argues with you when you work together, may well be capable of excellent work; however, what would be his incentive to follow your good example and contribute his productive effort to YOUR business? Whether he buckles down within the limitations of work or blows your concerns off, he still can enjoy passing time with your other friend and drinking beer--- if today's job requirements don't get done, what would that cost either of them, especially the one who is only hired to give him an income not to accomplish any business task. Is he grateful for your help or a bit resentful about it?

Frank

 

[willowfox]

Perhaps a share of the profits may well help to motivate these people to work harder as well, that would certainly give me an incentive to do my best. If you you still have doubts about your capability to lead and their capability to follow orders, then ask a new question, like "would it be wise or whatever to employ John?"

 

[steve]

thankyou everyone for your comments
There is allot to consider here and I can refer back to this thread as time goes on
The first step is to lead by example i think
thanks again

Steve

 

[steve]

Was interesting frank
i think there is a certain amout of envy or resentment which i found interesting you picked even before i did.

One of the guys is 56 and i am 41 whether that is an issue i am not sure , never the less
Its hard to have a succesful business whatever u choose
Now that i ahve this contract, just today when i aske him a question
just the tone of voice that you would not get when having a stranger work for you

interesting you picked up on that i guess there are alot of factors in play
did u see this in the lines or was it a combination of that and personal experience?

Steve

 

[steve]

i'm 40 not 41 i will be 41 on the tenth of june..old before my time..hahaha

 

[steve]

the more i look at the thread you are all on the nail, but somehow frank has got down to the nitty gritty
sorry to post again but this is my break

Steve

 

[willowfox]

I thought you realized that jealousy was par for the course, even amongst "friends" you will find jealousy, even in families, so nothing usual about the guy feeling jealous.
That is why I mentioned that money might be a good incentive to get these fellows into the game and thus everyone is on a level field.

But I still think that you should ask straight out whether it is wise to employ John or Bruce? As you can't afford to take unnecessary chances at this stage of the game.

 

[fkegan]

Was interesting frank
i think there is a certain amout of envy or resentment which i found interesting you picked even before i did.

One of the guys is 56 and i am 41 whether that is an issue i am not sure , never the less
Its hard to have a succesful business whatever u choose
Now that i ahve this contract, just today when i aske him a question
just the tone of voice that you would not get when having a stranger work for you

interesting you picked up on that i guess there are alot of factors in play
did u see this in the lines or was it a combination of that and personal experience?

Steve

Hi Steve,

An Oracle of hexagram one is not a font of great insight. It is the hexagram of pure process, mere rays of sunshine that do power all life through the water cycle but just taking in some rays won't explain any human dynamics nitty gritty.
In such an oracle, the human context is essential

I have tried in my youth to do business with friends and as one friend of mine put it as that project crashed and burned, "You should have known you can't do business with friends."

You interpreted the Oracle on hiring one of the fellows you mentioned as a no. Therefore not an objective business reason to hire him. You hired him as an act of charity. You did not mention he accepted the charity and felt grateful or committed to making his work for you earn his pay. In such a circumstance you took a parental role, and it would be logical to expect an adolescent backlash from him.

The problem in such a situation is that you have not resolved the human issues between the two of you. He needs money but is not willing to accept that he has to earn the money he needs. He is letting his need speak for him. However, no voice no objective resolution. It is the conflict within your friend that is not being helped by giving him money--cf. hex 27.

The other friend is a drinking buddy with a history of arguing with you when working with you. You have brought a guy you know from the bar into your business although you know he doesn't accept the idea of working together to get business done. Does it take the ancient Yi Oracle to know this will be tough?

You mention in your latest posts that you are Sun in Gemini or Individual Quest for Various Alternatives. Thus seeing all possible sides to anything is important to you. But fulfilling a contract is business, not an opportunity to express your personal interests.

Someone 56 is a Boomer like me, (I am 61 Sun in Libra). Taking direction from someone he sees as a kid would be tough on him, especially as he grew up with my peers giving him a tough time since he was too little to join in what we were doing. Again, accepting the perspective of getting business done would require that he settled the problems he has being 56 and not having his own settled career.

You feel that he has business skills, yet you also know he does not accept you as a worthy work superior. How could he help you succeed in your contract without feeling he is cheating his ideals?

Proper relationship between the King (5th line) and the able minister (2nd line) is clearly the focus of your difficulties. The Oracle answer of hex 1.2.5 highlights exactly that. In this situation, the line details and resultant are not as important as the first hexagram. You have a process issue and if you can't get the human dynamics straight, then the potential (hex 1) dissolves into fire (hex 30).

If you read Wilhelm hex.1. line 5 you will see what it would take to answer your question. You need to be accepted and respected as King, sage and mighty dragon who they are honored to follow, obey and work hard to make your leadership success.
I would interpret the use of hexagram one as noting a comment by the Oracle that you are receiving a theoretical answer to what is in practical reality an abstract rather than practical question.

Good Luck!

Frank

 

[steve]

Hi everyone

and especially Frank for his in depth response

Just an update of how things are since I first posted

The first employee is now working at the airport and is quite happy and so am I as he realised he is not geared up for this kind of work thank goodness.

The other guy I dont have a beer with or very rarely and is working well in the business as I mentioned he does have the skills. He has recently been married so my social relations with him have changed.
However he still does not see me as a boss YET but I think that he will have to in time if we continue with the growth we are having.
Regarding the jealousy thing he did ask for a pay rise( willowfox) which I granted and it seems to have made sweet music to the beast for the time being.
As a rule i feel human greed and jealousy in this nature are one of the worst traits of the humanity.

All the answers were very accurate

Thankyou so much again


Steve

 

[fkegan]

Hi Steve,
You seem to have worked out your situation as best you could. The fellow who couldn't be your employee found a job more to his style. The fellow who could do your work is doing it; the major change factor was that he got married and his wife won't let him just hang out drinking beer and grumbling any more. So, clearly your luck is very good and you are in a successful place.

The compromise of giving your able but difficult worker a raise is generally a bandaid not a
solution, but at least it got things to the next level. It is up to that worker and his wife to figure out if he takes the next step and deals with his issues or instead blames others for his problems. Of course, the standard advice applies, make sure the people who control that contract, etc. interact ONLY with you.The standard next step otherwise is for him to see you as unworthy of your boss status and try to take over your contract for himself. Uneasy rests the head of he who wears the crown...

But other than that, all is great, congratulations.