Snakes in the office
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There are poisonous snakes where I live in North Carolina. Just last week our neighbor's dog, Samantha, was bitten by a copperhead. She's OK. She's a big dog and got quick attention, but if Samantha had been a smaller dog, she would now be a dead one.
Copperheads are dangerous because they give no warning. They just strike. That's not true for some of the other poisonous snakes.
Rattlers rattle to let you know to leave them alone. Cottonmouths raise up and show you the mouth that gave them their name. The warnings are clear. Proceed at your peril.
Coral snakes are a special case. They've got potent venom, but they're reclusive, mostly inhabiting places where humans aren't likely to go.
The special case comes from the fact that coral snakes look like some other snakes that aren't venomous at all. People who go where coral snakes dwell recite little rhymes to themselves: "Red and yellow, kill a fellow; red and black, friendly jack."
If you look about you at the office, you'll find these snakes, cunningly described as human beings. There are the cottonmouths and rattlers who let you know when they're upset and likely to strike. When you recognize the signs, back off.
Copperheads are scary. If you're around them treat them like they might strike at any time because they won't give you any warning.
And learn to identify the coral snakes among those you work with. When you venture into their territory, they can get upset and be deadly. But they look so much like less dangerous snakes that you may be surprised.
Wally's Working Supervisor's Support Kit is a collection of information and tools to help working supervisors do a better job. It's based on what Wally's learned in over twenty years of supervisory skills training. Click here to check it out.
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Wally Bock has helped people learn to be great bosses for more than a quarter century. His latest book, Performance Talk: The One-on-One Part of Leadership, makes learning key leadership principles almost effortless by teaching through a story and providing lists of resources for further growth.
Click here to find out more about Wally's coaching services.
For weekly tips and resources pointers, check our Wally Bock's Three Star Leadership Letter.
Click here to find out more about having Wally speak to your company or convention.


Great post Wally - I featured this post as one of my weekly Rainmaker 'Fab Five' blogs picks of the past week which can be found here: http://www.maximizepossibility.com/employee_retention/2008/09/the-rainmaker-3.html
Be well!
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Thanks, Chris. It's always an honor to make your top five. My readers should know that if you follow Chris' link you'll find some great posts.
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interesting blog for me!
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Thanks for stopping by.
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