A Cup of Coffee in Corrections
First of all not everybody drinks coffee so you must make a rule
that if you don’t care for coffee, it is likely you have another favorite drink
whether it is tea, bottled water or an energy drink but regardless what it only
matters that you can apply this “coffee or drink” as a metaphor to what is
about to be explained to you as a correctional supervisor or mid-level manager
working in a high stress place like a large jail or prison.
One has to wonder what a cup of coffee has in common with
working in field of corrections and prison work. It has everything in common. One might say there is a direct relationship
between a cup of coffee, its contents and its purpose. If you look at it from another point of view and be open
minded enough to see the benefits within the drink. Prison work is not rocket
science profession as everything you are taught lays out the foundation of the
job and only requires you to take in a few simple things that will make your
job easier and safer. Having said that let’s get down to having a cup of coffee
and relax a little to understand how it helps you get the work done.
First of all a cup of coffee represents the respect you and your employees deserve
while doing this most danger job within the criminal justice system. You
may want to discuss your business matters in your proper setting using mutual
respect issues and common sense so you can learn something from someone else.
Listen and really listen to the other person. Keep your mouth shut and your
ears open as you look for useful information from your employee. As you become
aware of crucial concerns, you are able to motivate your employees to
participate in problem solving and manage the issues effectively. In return for
such deliberate attention towards your staff you will be rewarded with a mutual
level of respect that is earned by the manner you do your job.
Along with
respect comes a cup of motivation as
the two come together and makes it work out like a little bit of magic in the
air. When you treat your employees like adults there are benefits and gives
them the confidence they can handle the truths of the job. Trying to shelter
them with lies only backfires and serves no other person but hurting them in
the long run as they are never really protected from the workplace where issues
are harsh realities of the job itself and the potential dangers that lurk
around every corner.
Yes, you can use
the coffee cup metaphor as a management
and motivation tool. Having a “cup of coffee” with your staff gives you the
opportunity to sit down, listen and learn with them. Your conversation with
your personnel over coffee can be a powerful employee motivational tool. You
can gain valuable information about yourself, your staff, the company and your
workplace culture as you share coffee or the time to get to know each other
better.
That leads you to
the cup of time and wisdom for
managing our resources and employees effectively. Meetings are great for those
that have the time to do them but working alongside while on the job gives
employees a feeling of worth and value that is more important when it is shared
with respect and motivation. Showing you are never too busy to work side by
side can do more to maximize your effectiveness than anything else in the
leadership manual. It gives you a rare opportunity to walk the walk and talk
the talk that is so important for credibility.
You can never
make up for lost time but you can schedule quality time with your staff just by
taking a few minutes out of your busy schedule and taking your employee out for
a cup of coffee. Simply said, buy a soft drink or a cup of coffee for the
person you are meeting and sit at a table and talk. Set aside the phones or
cellphones at the moment and enjoy the moment of opportunity to get to know
your staff.
