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Don’t skip kindergarten. . .

February 12, 2008

I skipped kindergarten so I never learned all that good stuff Robert Fulghum wrote about in his book, “All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten.” It all started in first grade when I got a ‘D’ on my report card next to the ‘works well with others’ column. Evidently I was difficult to work with. Yesterday one of our managers took me aside and gave me the ‘you are difficult to work with’ speech and I began to do some self evaluation. He explained that everyone is somewhat concerned when I show up in the offices (I walk around the offices once or twice a day). Turns out I ruffle feathers by just showing up. When I see something I don’t like or someone asks me a question that I believe to be obvious I will likely respond with a sarcastic or abrasive joke. Evidently no one is laughing. I explained this conversation to my wife who agreed that I am impossible to work with, thanks honey! Turns out you can’t outsource being reasonably easy to work with, it is something you have to do yourself.

Written by Alexander Muse · Filed Under Blog, Personal 

Comments

2 Responses to “Don’t skip kindergarten. . .”

  1. Alex L Says:
    February 19th, 2008 at 8:01 pm

    Kindergarten didn’t help me. The problem is, who’s gonna say/do the things that the guy who’s hard to work with does?

    The following people have OFTEN been described hard to work with:
    Larry Ellison
    Steve Jobs
    Steve Ballmer
    Open Source Communities
    Federal Reserve Chairman

    Just a few of the obvious. Steve Jobs walked around bare foot and would wear pants to investor meetings - this was way before jeans were acceptable in any office!

    I haven’t met a CEOs today who is “easy” to work with. Not that they’re hard to get along with - however - they’re quite busy! They have little time for chit chat, points must be made and not toned down or diluted - sarcasm is used often. Crap is ignored without notice.

    I don’t know any CEO I can say is “easy to work with”. I will say they listen, they’re adept, and they’re all great people.

    What CEOs have you worked with who are easy to work with?

    What does it mean to be easy to work with?

  2. Mike R Says:
    February 26th, 2008 at 12:21 pm

    I went to kindergarten twice because of the date upon which my birthday falls.

    Being hard to work with is fine as long as your doing it with purpose and getting the outcomes you desire. It’s like drinking; It’s only a problem if it becomes a problem.

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