The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1890-02-27
ADVISE TO EMPLOYERS.

| ADVISE TO EMPLOYERS.
| Scolding is not wise criticism. Con-
| sequently it is not educational. Scold-
ing is not stimulating; on the contrary
it is discouraging. Scolding does not
promote sympathy Of ideas; it widens
the gap. An unmerited scolding is
not always wiped out by subsequent
pat on the back. Too much even of
adverse criticism finally produces a
| reaction which neutralizes its effect.
The worst culprit has right to be
heard in self-defense before judgment
is passed.
The pupil has as much right as the
teacher to have his feelings respected.
Faithfulness and trustworthiness are
more valuable than intelligence, for
they are harder to find, and can't be
bought.
You can't frighten intelligence into
anybody, or bulldoze trustworthiness out
of him.
The best employee is one who has
affection for the employer, as we'll as
respect.
Affection is plant of slow growth !;
it cannot be forced. It is, moreover,
very sensitive, easily chilled or totally
blighted.
When you put responsibility ON
the shoulders of any one, don't take it
away at the first mistake. He will have
to make several before he learns how
to properly use his authority and
another would have to go over the same
ground. -
Don't intimate to all employee that
you consider him blockhead; for his
irresistible conclusion is that ifso, you're
another for keeping him. If he don't
after ample opportunity, grow big
enough to fill the place assigned him
give him another, or discharge him IL
kindly words.
A man isn't stupid by preference
hence, dull comprehension is his mis-
fortune, not his fault. 1t is even use
less to reproach him for having incor
rectly represented himself as skillfdl
That was probably his honest convic
:; ton. 1t is only the man at the heat
Of his trade who knows enough to rec
ognize his own shortcomings.
Do not coerce any one by withhold
ing their pay until necessities force hin
to humble himself beyore you. 1t j
} not chivalrous for the strong to humili
ate the weak.
After you have broken the spirit o
an employee, you might as we'll dis
. charge him. You have spoiled him TO
, all but eye service. He may escap
doing anything very bad, through fea
of punishment: he will never do any
t thing particularly well-he gets n
credit for it.
Have system and enforce discipline
but remember you can OverdO both
Too much of the former becomes re
= tape, and discipline may be dispro poi
f tionate to the exigencies Of your bus
ness.
Cultivate the esprit de orps in you
employees, or at least be very Garrett
d not to mar any already existing. Tn
is another of those extremely valuabl
elements in a successful business whic
d cannot be bought.
Don't think that the prosperity I
your business is due alone to your cap
- / TIL Vi IlOuCy duu Va dh1C' AsOco9AA-
!; the fact that every one. from the ofile
n boy up, is contributing his quota
!, / brain part of the capital. Consequent.
don't dole out their wages as If it wei
charity.
j: Stop looking for the ideal employee
d He's in business for himself. Besides
0 you couldn't get along together. II
would be too independent to suit yo'
and you would appear simply brutal
~ Don't keep continually dischargir
:; your employees and hiring others
: the search for better men. Those "
already have are probably all right
properly developed, and mans vail
to you ought to grow in proportion
T. his length of service. you will new
: get good men, or at least you won
r. keep them Christian Union.
r | -Sob- -