Finally he became grossly insulting. The subordinate was apparently helpless; the manager gloried in his power. Within six months the result of that insult had driven the manager from his position. The young man had had friends. 2. Don't be haughty. 3. Now sit down and read the story of Haman in “The Book of Esther" in the Bible. Answer this question: Why did Admiral Nelson have more power than any British admiral ever had had before? Admiral Nelson was like a god to the men in his fleet. When he led they followed. Why? England won her victories because Admiral Nelson was always attentive to the interests of every man and boy in the fleet. 4. If you have men under you, speak to them quietly, gently, helpfully. 5. Don't dare to be harsh to the lowest subordinate. 6. Remember the fable of the Lion and the Mouse. Powerful Mr. Lion had spoken kindly to helpless little Mouse and released him from trouble. The day came when the once contemptible Mouse gnawed old Lion's ropes and set him free. Over seventy years ago a Yankee whaler rescued a poor little Japanese fisher boy from an island on which the young Jap had been wrecked. The Yankee's kindness made the lad love him. The old whaler educated the boy, brought him up to be a navigator, and sent him out into the world. In July, 1918, the Ambassador of Japan, at a public meeting in Fairhaven, Mass., the old whaler's home town, said that that kindness shown by Captain W. H. Whitfield was the beginning of modern Japanese civilization. A chain of circumstances had made Manjiro Nakahama, the poor fisher boy, one of the leaders of Japanese progress. Kindness to one whom he thought of no account whatever, made Captain Whitfield famous forever. His treatment of one whom he considered an inferior was the most important work of his whole life. Such an act may be the turning point of your life. Now have you memorized the rule: 7. Always be courteous and helpful to subordinates and inferiors. PROBLEM. A man in your employ has been careless and neglectful in his work. Think out the speech most likely to be of benefit to you and to him. LESSON 68. How to Speak to Workmen KEY WORDS: BE APPRECIATIVE WHEN SPEAKING Come with me and visit two different workshops. I. The superintendent at the Darton Works goes about among his employees. Listen to him. "You're working hard, but you can work more easily another way. Let me show you," and he takes the work 1 for a moment, and does it quickly and efficiently. To another he says: "We want to save as much material as possible. I like what you've done, but see if you can help us save." And again: "Splendid! Splendid! You're one of the best men we've got." II. And now come over to Shepard and Wiggs. This is Shepard himself talking: "What's the matter with you? Don't you know how to do this? Have I got to show you?" And again: "Look what you're doing! Wasting all that material! Good Heavens! It drives me mad. Don't waste another bit, do you hear!" And again: "Well, I suppose even you'll be doing poor work before long. I've got my eye on you." It is needless to say which man gets the most from his workers. A good horseman pats his horse occasionally. 1. "Pat" your workers. Begin at once before you leave the room. 2. If there is anyone with you, express real appreciation of some service. Begin to form the habit. 3. If you are alone, speak out loud and say some appreciative things about some of your helpers. Put yourself into the habit of mental appreciation. 4. As you go down street hereafter say over to yourself some appreciative remarks that you will make when the opportunity comes. 5. Take an "appreciation bath" of this sort every day. The result will be better work from all who help you. What if you are called upon to speak to a group of your employees? Tell them of the good work they do, of the energy they spend, of the value they are to you. 1. When you speak to workers, be appreciative. 2. Praise where praise is due. |