#87: Conning the manager

Here is an April Fool’s lesson for you. I learned this from a subordinate many years ago. We were walking down a busy street during lunch time when he suddenly interrupted himself and said, “See this guy with the pink shirt coming toward us? He’s a con artist.”

I studied the guy as he passed us and then my subordinate started laughing. “I don’t know that guy from Adam,” he said, “But I bet, now that I’ve planted the seed, the next time you see him you’ll still suspect him of being a con artist.”

That incident set me wondering about managers being conned by subordinates into poor judgements and snap decisions. I have realized over the years that often the ‘con’ on the part of subordinates could be unintentional.

Yet, the seed is real and will germinate. If it turns out to be a weed, it is up to the manager to kill it in time.


I’m james@nonsenseatwork.com

Copyright: 2007 James Henry McIntosh

James can be heard on Public Radio, 88.9 FM WCVE, Richmond VA.
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