Chapter 5: Responses: How Can You Manage Spinning?

OVERVIEW

• Dear Dr. Vali, The grant director repeatedly assured staff that the budget was in order and produced documents to the manager that indicated this. After significant projects were put into action, it was discovered that there was no revenue to cover the project. The project had to be terminated .

  Outcomes :

  • The closure of a school

  • Cost to the state $200,000 in planning funds

  • Cost to the district exceeding $150,000 in unrecoverable losses

  • Loss of $150,000 in salaries

  • Two teachers and one support person lost jobs

  • Cost to the district and the community volunteers who developed this program includes over 3000 volunteer hours

  • Involved in planning and development costs worth $75,000

  • 1200 staff hours worth $35,000 lost

  • Loss of credibility in the community

  • Loss of credibility of the Board, school district and volunteers

  • Ongoing lost opportunities for students with special needs

  These people were not bad or evil people, but the outcomes of their unwillingness or inability to get help and a lack of quality management destroyed a special opportunity for this community, for some exciting and inspired teachers, and a group of wonderful young students. Sincerely, Dr. Bruce Potter, Program Director

• The station manager quickly aired an apology, saying; "The actions of the KNRK news [94.7 FM, Portland, Oregon] morning show were insensitive, inappropriate and repulsive."

• Our company has laid off many employees and we are under a lot of chaos and stress at all times in our industry. Everyone is afraid all the time that their name is next on the list. There are days when I think I don't want to be a manager anymore. Then there are days when I know that when I do my best to manage some tough situation I am making it a bit better for others. That can get me out of bed in the morning. (Jane Phoenix, Weapons Project Manager)

• I have decided to leave nursing as a profession. I thought I was cut out for it. Then I was made a manager and all I got was grief from all my former friends . It made me physically sick. My counselor has encouraged me to find something else. I feel encouraged about this because I'm going to take time to think about it. I never really have asked myself what I wanted to do when I grew up. (Lenore Moore, former nurse manager).