ELECTRONIC HOUSE CALL - June 25, 1999

ORGANIC vs. CHEMICAL
A point to ponder from my friend, Steve Straus, from "Steve's 3-Minute Coaches Contribution" newsletter:

The differences between organic gardening and chemical gardening serve as a wonderful metaphor for anyone who manages, leads or coaches people. Years ago I started gardening as a high-touch balance to my high-tech days. Intrigued by organic gardening, I studied and practiced it until the principles became clear.

When you grow things chemically you add the "right" chemicals at the "right" time so the plant will do what it is supposed to do. You can do a pretty good job at this if you're careful and attentive to the needs of the plant. However, when fed this way plants tend to develop shallow roots, need frequent watering and are impacted more by wind, drought, disease and insects. You become the plant's lifeline.

With organic gardening, instead of feeding the plant you feed the soil. The natural interaction of the soil and the plant provides just the right nutrients, in just the right combinations, at just the right time for the plant to maximize it's potential. Fed this way -- which nature has worked out over a few million years -- plants develop deep roots, are strong and disease-resistant, and need much less attention.

The main problem with the organic approach is that it takes a while to develop rich, healthy soil and, in our impatience to get results NOW, we resort to the chemicals.

If you will have patience and grow the people in your life by helping them develop deep roots in a rich, healthy environment, you will find they blossom beyond your expectations. And the journey will be easier and more rewarding for you, too.

A note from the Doc:
"Growing our people" and helping them to find their excellence is our most awesome (and exciting) management responsibility -- what we do and how we do it can truly impact on their lives forever. Do you have the courage to make decisions based on what is best for your staff in the long run rather than what is most convenient for you in the short run?

QUESTION OF THE WEEK
Susan Quam <susaquam@wiscrest.org> of the Wisconsin Restaurant Association sent this note:

I just received some questions from a large multi-unit member who is updating their employee handbook. He was wondering what "new" things other restaurateurs may be updating their handbooks with in regards contagious diseases and violence in the workplace. Have you heard or seen anything?

If you have anything to offer, please reply directly to Susan with a copy to me and I will compile the results for a later edition.

NEXT WEEK, PRAGUE
Margene and I head to Prague, Vienna and Budapest next Friday for about two weeks. I will be posting a daily diary of our travels along with photos, an exercise in "what did I learn from my life today." More details next week.

© 1999 Restaurant Doctor