Dealing with laziness

A business owner carefully observed a new employee for the first 30 days. The employee displayed a less-than-enthusiastic work ethic. Unable to restrain herself any longer, the owner said, "You're one of the laziest people I have ever seen. You have barely completed a week's worth of work since I hired you. Can you give me one reason why I should keep you around?"

The employee calmly pondered the question and then responded, "One benefit is that when I take a vacation, you won't need to find someone to fill in."

In the workplace, dealing with what might be perceived as laziness can often be more complex than it appears. It's important to consider the underlying factors that might contribute to an employee's lack of engagement or productivity. Unfortunately, the road to success is marked with many tempting parking places. The first thing I look at is understanding the root causes.

Motivation issues: Sometimes, what appears as laziness might be a lack of motivation. It's important to understand what drives individuals and how their roles align with their interests and goals. Motivational guru Zig Ziglar said, "There is no such thing as a lazy person; he is either sick or uninspired."

Skill mismatch: If someone is not performing well, it could be due to a mismatch between their skills and the job requirements. Providing training or adjusting responsibilities might help.

Personal challenges: External factors such as personal issues or health problems can affect someone's performance. It's crucial to approach the situation with empathy and understanding.

Before labeling someone as lazy, seek to understand the underlying causes. Empathy and clear communication can turn perceived laziness into productivity.

Managers can help by setting clear expectations. Ensure that job roles and expectations are clearly defined. 

Regular feedback helps employees understand how they can improve and feel more engaged in their work. Take note of specific behaviors or instances where the employees seem disengaged. This will help you provide concrete examples during your discussion.

I have had great success scheduling one-on-one meetings with employees over the years.

Recognizing and rewarding effort and achievements can boost morale and motivation. Acknowledge and reward progress and improvement. A person may not be as good as you tell them they are, but they'll try harder thereafter. 

Offering opportunities for professional development, such as additional training or resources, can encourage employees to take initiative and improve their performance. Education is an investment and never an expense.

Employees can take several proactive steps to demonstrate their commitment and counter any perceptions of laziness in the workplace.

Punctuality always helps. Arriving on time and meeting deadlines consistently shows reliability and dedication.

Regularly update your supervisor on your progress and any challenges you face. Effective communication and transparency demonstrate responsibility and initiative.

Actively ask for feedback and use it to improve your performance. This shows a willingness to learn and grow.

Look for opportunities to go beyond your assigned tasks. Take initiative by volunteering for projects or suggesting improvements that can highlight your proactive attitude. 

Use tools and techniques to manage your workload efficiently and stay organized. This can help you stay on top of tasks and avoid last-minute rushes.

Engage in professional development opportunities to enhance your skills and knowledge, showing your commitment to your role and the organization. You are in school for a lifetime.

Maintain a positive and cooperative attitude, even during challenging times. This can foster a productive work environment and demonstrate your dedication.

You may be on the right track, but if you just sit there, you may get run over.

Actions speak louder than words. Consistently demonstrating commitment and initiative is the best way to show you're anything but lazy.

Here's a final story to illustrate my point. An Army sergeant looked disdainfully at the new recruits and shouted, "I have a nice, easy job for the laziest rookie here. Will the laziest person step forward?"

Instantly, everybody stepped forward — all but one.

"Why don't you step up to the front with the others?" demanded the sergeant.

"Too much trouble," drawled the rookie.

Mackay's Moral: Rip Van Winkle is the only man to become famous while he slept.

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Harvey Mackay is the author of the New York Times bestseller "Swim With the Sharks Without Being Eaten Alive." He can be reached through his website, www.harveymackay.com, by emailing [email protected] or by writing him at MackayMitchell Envelope Co., 2100 Elm St. SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414.