Recently, it came to light that Steve Harvey sent out a memo to his staff that wouldn’t exactly shed good light on anyone who announced such things:
“Do not come to my dressing room unless invited.”
“Do not approach me while I’m in the make-up chair unless I ask to speak with you directly.”
“I want all the ambushing to stop now. That includes TV staff. You must schedule an appointment.”
“I promise I will not entertain you in the hallway, and do not attempt to walk with me.”
Oh, and by the way, the article goes on to say, Harvey asked staffers not to take offense because the rules are intended to increase his personal time and enjoyment.
Because everybody else’s personal time and enjoyment takes a backseat to Steve Harvey’s!
A more diplomatic approach
We’re all pressed for time, considering the fact that time is limited for all of us. So in the interest of time, and a better use of it, here’s another way Steve Harvey could’ve gotten his message across to anyone in his biosphere:
“I’m in my dressing room now, not a good time.”
“Sorry, make up chair, not a good time (for anything but makeup).”
“Nope, you gotta schedule an appointment for that one.”
“Not today, another time, gotta go.”
All spoken with the confident, reassuring smile of someone who might have time for you but not in the current situation…
In turn, people will learn which “current situations” are off limits, a.k.a., when not to approach, a.k.a., when to let you go about your business uninterrupted or obstructed.
They’ll learn when you’re consistent.
It’s similar to dog training. You don’t lay out all the rules in a big speech or memo. You interact. You teach them bit by bit, opportunity by opportunity, all while knowing who you are, what you will and won’t accept, and how to firmly but kindly teach your beautiful golden mutt.
Eventually, they’ll get the memo. And believe me this kind of intelligent diplomacy is much better than getting a Steve Harvey memo.
Randy Boyd author 