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Dear Coach,
I’ve used your coaching tool, the Same Day Summary, in employee disciplinary situations, and it’s been highly effective. Are there any other uses you would recommend?
Richard
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Dear Richard,
Absolutely!
I sometimes get a little frustrated when people assume that the Same Day Summary described here and here is simply another employee disciplinary tool.
Although the Same Day Summary works much better than conventional disciplinary procedures, as I describe here, it has many other beneficial uses. Here are a few examples.
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You’ve run into some problems with your kitchen remodel:
Dear Contractor,
This is a summary of today’s conversation. Let me know if I missed or misstated anything.
We agreed to split the cost of the $5,000 overrun on the kitchen cabinets.
We also agreed that at the earliest sign that there might be another cost overrun, you’ll advise me ASAP.
Best,
Homeowner
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Your employee completes the project ahead of time and meets or exceeds all expectations.
Jim,
As a follow-up to my thank-you earlier today, I want to let you know that I’m greatly appreciative of your work on Project X. Not only did you finish it ahead of time, you met or exceeded every one of my expectations. I’m blessed to have you on my team.
Best,
Boss
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Tired of too many unproductive meetings, you introduce the Same Day Summary.
To: The Refrigeration Team
Dear Team,
Here’s a summary of key takeaways from today’s meeting. Let me know if I missed or misstated anything.
We discussed the temperature issue and agreed to the following action plan:
–Sara is going to research other vendors so that we have options to discuss when we meet at our next monthly meeting.
–Bill is going to get with our current vendor and develop a plan to fix the current problem, also in time for our next monthly meeting.
–We agreed that going forward, at the earliest sign of potential trouble, team members will sound the alarm so that we avoid or minimize damage.
I appreciate everyone’s active participation in today’s meeting.
Best,
Team Leader
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You want to make sure what you promised and what you didn’t promise.
Dear Movie Producer,
Here’s a brief summary of takeaways from our meeting this morning. Let me know if I missed or misstated anything.
I can’t currently commit my client to being cast in your next movie.
I will give you a definitive answer no later than December 12th.
Best,
Agent
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I can provide numerous other examples where a timely, brief summary of key points came in handy. Although it works great in that capacity, the Same Day Summary is not a disciplinary tool; it’s a communication tool. It enables you to align efforts and understandings, avoid confusion, misunderstandings, and conflict, and offers myriad other beneficial uses.
With a little practice, anyone can master the Same Day Summary. I encourage you to start now.
Best,
Jathan
Jathan Janove is a Marshall Goldsmith Stakeholder Centered Coaching Master Coach and Practice Leader. You can learn more about him here.
