[MUSIC] Ethan, how you doing? >> Good. >> Good. I'm glad we're meeting today. I know that you've had some frustrations the last few weeks with the new property manager. And so, I just wanted to talk to you about what's on going and see if we might be able to come up with a plan to help you a little bit. >> Great, thank you. >> So, what's the issue, what's going on? >> So, as a matter of fact, I have an appointment with her to meet with her at 11. >> Okay. >> Today. There's been some issues with our janitorial staff. >> Mm-hm. >> For example, yesterday, we have morning classes and evening classes here. So there was a 30-minute turnaround, and it ended at 4. The day the porter leaves at 4. So, I had suggested her staying half an hour to help us out, clean the room, dump the trash, get her ready for the evening class. And doing that, I was told that I had to go through their office first. >> Okay. >> And then, they had to contact them. >> Okay. >> But as you know, at four o'clock. >> You're just getting it done. >> Yeah, exactly. >> Is that a different process than before? >> It is. >> Okay. >> They came on board about two years now. The old property management, they were pretty lenient. We were able to contact the vendor themselves to get things done. But now, I think it's more of a control issue. >> Well, the truth is we don't know why they're doing what they're doing, right? But it's changing how you need to interact with them is what we're finding out, right? So what I heard you say is the property manager wants you to contact them directly and not contact the janitor correctly. Is that correct? >> Yeah, yeah. >> Okay, and why is that a problem for you to do that? >> I guess it's a change in our process. I mean, it's not just janitorial, it's security. It's everything that we need to function here. It's a time delay. If something happens that needs to be done right away, why can't I just contact them if they're on the site? >> Right, yeah, I think I get it. Pragmatically, I totally get it, right? But I do think we have this new organization in place, and we probably want to think about one of the things I always try and figure out when change happens is, first of all, why am I kind of resisting it? It's just most of us don't like changing, in general. >> Yeah. >> Great, we're human. But second of all, where are the balances, right? And so, if you're meeting with her at 11 today, maybe there are some things we could think about that you could agree to with her, right? For example, if we know that we have classes scheduled and we know that we have a fast turnaround, maybe in advance, you sort of say, hey, next week, we have this going on. Can we work with the janitorial staff to bridge that gap? And then, maybe there's something you could ask of her. So for those unexpected dilemmas or concerns related to security, maybe you could make a request with her that you have a little more latitude in how you can work with the on-sight staff. >> I don't know. >> What do you think about that? >> Yeah, I was actually thinking about maybe extending their hours. >> Okay, good. >> Until six. >> Okay. >> That will cover the turnaround time. >> Yeah. So here's what's really interesting to notice, right, so your kind of initial thought might be that you're a little frustrated, and I don't like change, and maybe, I sort of got the sense that you're thinking they're kind of trying to make it difficult. [LAUGH] >> Yeah. >> Right? Why are they making this so hard? >> Yeah. >> So what else can you think about this as it relates to the change, and as it relates to the property manager, that might help you feel a little better about it? >> I think if they were more responsive instead of getting back the next day. >> Right. So. >> But we can't control if they weren't responsive. >> Yeah. >> Yeah, so let's not wait for that to feel better. [LAUGH] How do you want to feel? Like you know that you have work with them. >> Mm-hm. >> That's an agreed, right, like they exist. We can't hide from them. So, how do you want to feel when you're working with them or communicating with them? >> That our issues are heard, and there's a solution. >> Mm-hm. Do you believe there's always a solution or not? >> I think there's a happy medium. >> Yeah. >> Between two parties. >> Yeah. So when you think there's always a happy medium, we can get there, how do you feel if you think that? >> A little better. I think there's got to be a give and take, right? >> Okay. So what does a little better feel like? Does that feel confident? Does that feel relaxed? Does that feel? >> Secured and knowing that things will get done. >> Okay, so that's a really cool thought. And here's what I think is great about you, Tom, I mean, we've known each other for a couple of years. You always get it done, right? I think that working with a new organization, they have newer systems, new processes that they want you to follow which can feel like interruptive, but it may be what it's doing for us, as an organization, is calling upon us to be a little more proactive in how we plan. Do you think that's true? >> That's true. >> Yeah, so is that something you feel like you could do? Just be a little bit proactive, at least with the things you know about. >> I feel like I can do that. >> Totally. And then if you do that and there are still problems, I think I would want to talk to you about that to see what we would like to do. >> Okay. >> But like I said, when we're dealing with change, it's like what can I do to help me and help the relationship and help things move forward? And then, if I'm willing to do that, what can I ask of them, right? But if all I'm ever doing is asking them to bend the rules for me, that's when you're going to start getting their resistance, right? So hey, when we have classes coming up, I'm going to let you know a week in advance, blah, blah, blah. >> Okay. >> But if there's an emergency on site and I have to deal with it, how can we make that happen, right? >> Yes. >> Can we think about asking her those two questions? >> Yes, I think those are good points. >> Okay, so say it back to me. Tell me what you're going to do at 11? >> So, how are we going to deal with these emergencies, say like yesterday that happened at four? And how can we go about building a better relationship where both of us are happy? >> Yeah, so you ask how can I expect support from you in an emergency. And then maybe, what can I do to be more proactive so that you can get your staff organized for upcoming events that I know are happening. >> So like how far in advance do I need to. >> Brilliant. >> Okay. >> Brilliant, and then let's go from there. Let's see what she says, and then we can make a plan from there. >> Great. >> Sound good? >> Yes. >> Okay. >> All right.