Deal 'em Partner

"You got to know when to hold em, know when to fold em,

Know when to walk away and know when to run.

You never count your money when youre sittin at the table.

Therell be time enough for countin when the dealins done."

Yes, I know, it’s from the Kenny Rogers song, The Gambler. What does it have to do with supervision you say?

The story goes: I had an employee working for me that had been hired into supervision after about forty years in the field, doing guy work. After accepting the job, he about dropped his six shooter when he realized he was going to be working for the woman he thought was the secretary. He’d been a tough guy and had the reputation of a scoundrel. We were both thrilled.

As the story progresses: He sat with me at several meetings where supervision was in an adversarial position. Without going into the confidential past, we had to stand tough against some tough odds. I learned early in my career, the more information you had on a situation prior to these meetings, the better you would command your point. I also found most of my opponents figured I was weak and they could steam roll over me. I would hold my information close to my chest, watch how the cards fell and gauge when and how to use the information to gain the best advantage. You poker players should now begin to figure out how the above verse will play out in my story. Because my adversaries underestimated my ability to read my opponents’ hand, I was often able to win the round.

The final hand: I would estimate what I held, what I wanted to accomplish, and offer up the best solution for my cause. Then I’d simply walk away. After the meeting was over, I’d gather my supervisors for a wrap up in my office. This supervisor would start talking the above verse. We all got a few laughs at the end of some tough times. I hadn’t planned on being a card player or even using it as a model. I considered it good negotiation skills based on the ability to read others and being very prepared. As this fellow and I worked together until he retired, we gained respect for and learned from each other.

Cards and life: You may not be dealt the best of hands every time. It’s to be expected. What does matter is how you play them. Although you may find the analogy a bit hokey, it is based on sound supervisory skills. If you haven’t already thrown your cards in the air and promised yourself you are never reading this again because "she has slipped way off her center", let’s put this cowpoke to rest:

You got to know when to hold em, (This means you have all the important information and accurately gauge how and when to use it for the best advantage. You do this without letting your opponent know what you have in your hand.)

know when to fold em, (If you find you don’t have what it will take to win your purpose, you don’t pursue it any further than necessary. You don’t take your desire to win past the point where your position isn’t good enough to waste any more on a sure loss.)

Know when to walk away and know when to run. (If you find yourself in a surprise or distinct disadvantage, get out of the situation before it turns ugly. It’s always better to get out of a situation on your own terms rather than wait until you loose it all.)

You never count your money when youre sittin at the table. (Never take a public assessment of your information and situation while in the meeting in front of your opponents. It never helps your situation to brag or humiliate the opponent.)

Therell be time enough for countin when the dealins done. (You will have plenty of time to review the facts and learn from mistakes and profit from wins with your own team. Some wins are better not discussed with the opponent, and they may not realize they have even lost those issues. They may not understand the stakes they were playing for and those that are important in the future.)

Thanks for listening, partner. I think I’ll just mosey off into the sunset . . .