Character Builders

A Manager cannot, unfortunately, bank on her employees getting along at any point within the span of their careers, no matter how much she pushes this agenda. She can, however, predict with a fair amount of certainty that having a coworker will build each employee's character. This topic of discussion came into play a fair amount before The Lo. Co. brought N.Lo on board. Yet, faced with the reality of such "character-building," The Manager now wonders just whose character is being built.

N.Lo adheres pretty strictly to his work schedule, and it has recently come to my attention that if not for K.Lo pestering N.Lo in multiple ways (including but not limited to hugging, kissing, and forced "dance" lessons that are all a *tad* overbearing), N.Lo might have very few complaints throughout the Day Shift. In fact, it has become N.Lo's habit of late to complain a little bit automatically if his coworker approaches his work station for any reason, even a friendly one. Management hopes this stage is passing and brief.

I found this realization a little vexing until the CEO commented that K.Lo, however she manages to undermine N.Lo's productivity, will "toughen him up." I had either totally forgotten this company goal, or else had a different idea of how the company goal would show itself in reality. So, while it annoys me in the moment whenever K.Lo dispels N.Lo's groove, it's clear that I need to set my sights further, toward the end goal: adaptable employees. Employees who can roll with the punches, so to speak.

And I, too, need to get with the program. Toughen up. Realize that my complaints stem, at least in part, from a heavier workload, when mediating a few extra employee conflicts was clearly outlined in the job description.