2021, can you step into my office…

2021, I want to have a serious conversation about your performance.

As you know, we brought you in to replace someone who had severe performance issues. 2020 started off on the wrong foot, then just a few weeks later, their decisions had a major impact on the whole organization.

I’m a believer in second chances, and so I let them stay. Things were rocky, but through the summer they secured us some government support, which did help. I was hopeful that things would work out. Unfortunately, all hell broke loose, and we had to let them go.

I don’t want to see that happen to you 2021.

Here’s what we need for you to stay a part of our organization:

First, and this is important to all of us, when you are sick, stay home. Having 1 out of every 1000 people dead is enough of a tragedy. Having the staff unable to work, either because they are sick, or caring for someone else who is sick, is killing our productivity. We’re spending untold dollars trying to keep everyone healthy, and all of it goes for naught if individuals won’t make responsible choices for themselves. Please, defeating the virus is our only chance to restore our business performance.

Second, I don’t know how this wasn’t clear on day one, no guns in the office and no threats of violence regardless of the disagreement. During the interview process, I talked about how we value thoughtful dialog and rational decision-making as an organization. Attacking your coworkers, physically or verbally, is unacceptable. We need to listen and understand one another, and this violence isn’t helping anyone.

Finally, we all have a job to do here, and we can’t have everyone’s ability to work impacted by one weak player. We can no longer tolerate the impact these disruptions are having on fulfilling our mission as an organization. We founded this enterprise to make the world a better place, and that’s where I want to focus my energies, and the energies of this whole organization, going forward.

Are you on board with that 2021? If not, your position here is in jeopardy. Truthfully, your performance so far is no better than 2020’s. If I don’t see improvement, I’d rather have them in the position. At least then I knew what to expect.

Please see Marsha in HR and then take the rest of the day off. I’d like to see you back here on Monday with a plan for how you’re going to turn things around.

(David C. Baker’s tweet inspired this attempt at humor.)