|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tip 713: Remember that others' perceptions govern what's "Fair." |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Have you noticed how the young woman just graduated from college thinks "all the good jobs" go to the people who've been around longer? Then as that young woman ages into her forties, she thinks that "all the good jobs" go to the young people because management can hire them more cheaply? Have you noticed how the poor couple thinks the tax burden should fall on the middle class? Then when that couple works and earns their way into the middle class, they think the social programs for the poor are mismanaged, ineffective, and unnecessary? Everybody's overworked and underpaid. If you don't think so, ask them. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
What's "fair" will always be determined by each person's own situation, viewpoint, and values. One administrative assistant leaving a job where she had a private office complained about the job where she had to work in a small cubicle. Another newly hired administrative assistant "inherited" the same work station with, "Greatmy own cubicle and work station! In my former job, there were two of us sharing a space this same size. I had only one drawer that was totally mine." |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The matter of perspective knows no organizational bounds. The president of a client organization related a similar incident with seven senior managers during a layoff, when he downsized from three floors to two in the building to reduce his overhead. When the managers began to complain about having to "double up" in their offices, he reminded them that they had another alternative to help him reduce costs. . . . |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Perspective determines the meaning of "fairness" on any issue. Bottom line: If you have occasion for a committee to vote on your salary, make sure everybody on that committee earns more than the salary you want. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tip 714: Substitute "We" for "You and I." |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Let language imply your intention to work out an agreement to everyone's advantage. Examples: "What would we have to do to get X to happen?" "What if we changed our criteria for hiring to include only five years' experience?" "How can we design this schedule so your people don't have to work overtime and so our people can meet the customer's deadline?" |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tip 715: Reset expectations. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Let people know when they're being outrageous without telling them so. As parents or sweethearts, you may want your loved ones to think you |
|
|
|
|
|