Motivation…

I have a motivation problem.  Actually, one of my guitar players does.  He’s the employee who does just enough to get by…  He never breaks any rules, but he’s no star performer, literally.  He’s written some decent tunes, and does an okay job of contributing material at practice, but there are points where I’ve wanted to poke his eyes out.  Not putting forth effort outside of practice, not putting any emotion into his playing, refusing in general to make progress is absolutely unacceptable in a band where constant improvement and progress are needed.  Most HR pros are going to say, “Get rid of him. He’s dead weight.”

Did I mention he’s my cousin, and best friend?  He’s like a union employee. I don’t have a chance of getting rid of him.  As they say, the show must go on.

Fortunately we’ve been making progress and recently started recording songs to recruit a vocalist.  Surprisingly he’s been motivated not only at rehearsal, but is actually putting forth effort outside of the required practices.  I think he’s starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel, and it has lit a fire under his ass.  The question is, how do we keep this up?  I need the trend to continue in order for us to achieve any of our goals.

How do you convince an employee that the effort to do something right will pay off in the end?  Have you ever had an employee in this situation who turned the corner?  Am I doomed to a music career of slower than normal progress?

Diving In…

I’ve never really attempted to blog before, but my recent addiction to Twitter has really inspired me. Welcome to the world through my eyes… a Millennial who’s trying to work his way up up the corporate HR ladder, all while starting a challenging MBA program, playing drums in an upstart band, being a good boyfriend and trying to find enough time to enjoy my favorite pastime, sports.

Hopefully I can inject a different perspective into your lives, and you will do the same for me.