The Parental Voice

You know…grown ups are not above throwing toddler-like tantrums.

In fact, the adult tantrum is usually FAR worse, can’t be solved with a cookie or a nap and has more deleterious effects.

I have a rock star employee. She’s top notch, bar none, best of the best. But…she’s also a bit set in her ways. Her way or the highway.

Which 99.999% of the time works out juuust fine for everyone.

But there is one whiny butt Client who just can’t be ok. Mr. Over-Controlling doesn’t *like* this strong willed woman telling him just how it’s gonna be.

She’s been incredibly patient with The Client. She’s tried several different approaches. Given him LOTS of extra special care.

Still not enough. Friday I got an indignant voicemail message demanding I put a different employee on his project.

Um. No.

I have a feeling The Client is a skosh stressed out. We all are, these are strange days indeed at The Company.

So what will I, the intrepid manger, do with this situation? Well…I suspect The Client just wants to be *heard*. So we have a call in an hour. I’ll let him rant. I’ll let him rave. I’ll let him jump up an down until he turns blue in the face.

Then I’ll quietly explain in my best parental voice that my employee is following the letter of the law. I’ll drop a SOX conversation in there. And I’ll assure The Client we’ll take goooood care of him from here on out.

Then I’ll give him a cookie, a warm glass of milk, and spread out the mat so he can take a nap.

*sigh* Another day at the office.