Do You Know How to Handle a Soup Sandwich?

The Self Leader Secret

Do You Know How to Handle a Soup Sandwich?

by , Business

First off I can see the wheels in your mind spinning wildly trying to figure out exactly what a soup sandwich is. Well it is a metaphor for any situation that sounded good at one time but has gone horribly wrong, at no fault of your own, but you are the one stuck with it. This happens frequently when people are given jobs they have no idea how to perform and don’t ask questions so they don’t look stupid. Eventually it catches up and it is usually right before the project is due! I am sure you have had situations that you had to correct that weren’t your fault but you had to handle them anyway. That is a Soup Sandwich!

So typically what happens is as soon as you are handed your sandwich everyone panics. We all realize soup flows downhill so if you have the ability to pass it down, you normally will! If you are at the bottom of the food chain what you do next will determine your degree of success!

Step 1 Contain the Soup Sandwich-This step is almost always missed. Most folks flail about and really just do whatever someone tells them to do. This usually leads to very sloppy results and no one is satisfied with the outcome. Best thing to do is find out what was wanted in the first. Figure that little bit out and containing the essence of the sandwich is at least obtainable.

Step 2 Feature the main ingredient-If you were able to contain the soup sandwich and find out what the person actually wanted then focus on the main priority. Basically if they wanted a sandwich with a side of soup then focuses on the sandwich aspect.

Step 3 Present it as best you can-Most circumstances I have been in the person already knew there was going to be a mess. If you can straighten it out to where it looks presentable you will normally be considered a hero!

So quick critique:

Don’t panic, you will just get it all over yourself. Find out all the facts you can.

Focus on the meat first.

Presentation is key. If you gave them their soup sandwich in a plastic bag you are going to be a big Looser! Give it to them in a fancy bowl and call it a stew, You Are the Big Winner!