I’m in a bit of a bind and I’m not quite sure what (if anything) I can do about it. I was recently hired as a business consultant for a rather large company. The company that hired me mentioned that they are concerned about a certain department and the way it’s being run, as this department affects every other department in the company. They know something is wrong, but they just can’t pinpoint what that something is. That’s why I was hired, to figure out the problem.
After about a week in the department, I realized that the issue is with the Director of this particular department. There is a certain quirkiness about this individual and I couldn’t put my finger on what makes him a bit odd. He just carries himself in a rather strange manner and for a brief moment I even thought, “Hmm, I wonder if he’s a Jehovah’s Witness?” Smash cut to yesterday, we are having a rather awkward and stilted lunch conversation, when he proceeds to tell me that he is one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. I knew it!!! This revelation explained A LOT. All of a sudden everything became clear.
I think we can agree that there is a certain “aura” about JW’s and not in a good way. They like to distinguish themselves from the public by being different, all to give “a good witness.” Yet some of them don’t come across as people you want to have regular interactions with, they just come across as strange. I’m not even sure I’m explaining this correctly. But his persona and demeanor are not meshing with the company. The company can’t figure out what is going on with this individual, but I know exactly what’s going on, he is trying to witness through his actions since he can’t do it publicly. Now my dilemma is, how do I explain this to the people that hired me? I can’t even explain it very well even as I’m writing this. It’s just that after years of being a Jehovah’s Witness, you know how they think. You just know and comprehend what’s going on behind their JW trained brain. Of course I don’t want the company to discriminate against him based on his religion, but they can’t figure this guy out. So they brought someone in to try to figure him out and explain it to them. Well, I’ve figured it out, but now how do I explain the whole JW mentality? I don’t want to turn this into a whole religious issue, or get the company in trouble, or again, have him discriminated against. He is smart and knows his job duties very well, but the execution is a whole other story. I can tell you that his JW mentality is hurting his job performance. I don’t think he is an elder, so he is rather meek at work and does not take the initiative; he defers decisions to others and comes across as weak. And of course, come hell or high water, he always leaves right on time, because he has to get to his (JW) meetings. He has missed more than a few important work meetings because he said he couldn’t stay at work an hour or so for overtime. I don’t know how he got to a position of Director in this company, yet there he is. And again, everyone just thinks he’s weird.
So, do I try to explain the JW mentality? If so, how? Or, should I just keep my mouth shut? And again, I’m the one who has to inform the higher ups of my findings in a couple of weeks. Strange situation I find myself in. Any suggestions?
I had a funny feeling he was a Witness... and now I need help.
by noontide 60 Replies latest jw friends
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noontide
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new hope and happiness
Why not work with the employee ( the witness) to find solutions?
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noontide
New Hope: I've been trying to work with him, but part of the problem is he thinks he is doing a good job, the other part is he resents me for being there and I can't force him to be more agressive or personable. I've tried to help him loosen up, but he just smiles and doesn't try. He's a meek and obedient JW. Taking the initiative has not been instilled in him, though taking the initiative and making hard decesion are part of his job. To put it bluntly, the JW's have castrated him. I honestly don't know how he got the position he has.
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rip van winkle
The Director of the Dept. is in a position of authority but is standoffish, doesn't mesh well with his subordinates, is not a take- charge person, is wrong for this position, etc. etc.
Noontide, you are a problem solver: subtract the fact that you know he is a JW and just describe the problems with his leadership role.
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sparrowdown
It seems there is a conflict between this guys JW persona and his reponsibilities as an employee.
Most JWs are confused about how to conduct themselves out in the real world, so it does'nt surprise me he is having a conflict of interest.
This guy has a responsibility to his employers to explain anything that may be percieved by others as laziness, weakness or a general lack of committment to the job.
Maybe tease him out with questions about his performance and how he sees himself, you may not have to bring religion into it at all if you word it carefully.
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Frazzled UBM
rvp hit it on the head. His style is a performance issue because he is in a leaddership role but he is not acting like a leader. He is compliant and indecisive in circumstances in which he needs to be exercising judgement, setting the tone and direction for others to follow. He probably also lacks the education, analytical skills and critical thinking to do the job. Be very careful not to reference his beliefs when describing the problem. I am sure you cna do this. Fraz
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Splash
Metrics can be your friend here. If you can demonstrate a higher failure rate, lower productivity, higher staff turnover, lower staff engagement, poor collaboration with other parts of the business, low standards, poor processes, lack of training etc, these will determine specifically where the problem lies.
Then look at reasons. Management style, lack of communication, poor leadership, unclear tasks, understaffed, poor equipment, no metrics of the staff productivity etc. This will point you to a solution.
Be solution focussed - this is why you have been employed.
Splash
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SadElder
I don't know where you live, but in the US religion may not enter into any employment considerations. You must not for your own sake discuss the JW connection lest you get involved in an EEOC complaint. Dubs live to beat the persecution drum.
Perhaps you need to be more direct with the fellow. Make a list of the perceived failings and the road to correction. If he shows no willingness to make correction, you know what you need to do.
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cultBgone
The posters are correct, you have to remove the jw element as just look at his skill-set and performance. The company brought you in to "discover" the problem with the department, not to fix this person (belief system aside). I realized that the issue is with the Director of this particular department. You probably identified him quickly because you have an active jw-meter, but that should really work to your advantage as it's easy for you to spot the "work dissonance" with him, where the company's work parameters/directives/goals are not meshing with his behavior.
Using the department's goals, detail in writing how (no "why" needs to be mentioned) his actions and/or inactions are causing poor performance and morale....and congratulate yourself on doing a great job so fast! Maybe you'll get a bonus.
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punkofnice
I don’t want to turn this into a whole religious issue,
It doesn't have to be. It's about performance. You can only assess a person on their performance. Whether religion is a factor or not.