Speak Softly and Carry a Big Schtick

By Peter Jeff
The Leadership Mints Guy

Here’s an idea to help you reprimand others more productively Reading time: 2:32.

Speak softly and carry a bit Schtick.cigar That’s what the most effective leaders do in reprimanding performance: they argue without being argumentative. They speak with a well-thought out Schtick -a process or routine — as the dictionary defines “Schtick.”

And with their well-honed Schtick, leaders learn to dictate without dictating; rule without ruling, boss without bossing and gain more of a command without commanding. Consider these three examples of the leader’s schtick in reprimanding others.

The Smoking Reprimand Schtick

Four veteran supervisors in your manufacturing plant are taking their smoke breaks in the entrance to the building in violation of the company policy.

Over the next two weeks, you notice more employees and those same supervisors in that plant taking their smoke breaks in the same entry way — at least 100 feet from the designated smoking area.

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