Top Ten : - Ways to Avoid Becoming a Jerk-Boss
I’ve seen it countless times – you emerge from solo success and discover that you’re going to need help. When you assume the role of “people-manager”, you also discover that this is an entirely different role from that of “Lone Ranger.” Success as a solo is no guarantee of success as a leader of people. In order to create a motivating, highly-productive workplace, you must avoid earning a reputation as a jerk.
Herewith, the top ten things to steer clear of (no matter how tempting), these I have learned from the school of hard knocks...
1.Micro-managing. Just because you know it all doesn’t mean you should do it all. A great way to wreck productivity and motivation is to look over another’s shoulder and nit-pick.
2. Punishing mistakes. (read my blog entry on the M word) Expect mistakes. Chalk them up as the price of progress. Focus instead on the gold within the mistake – the lesson to be learned and control your temper.
3.Yelling at people. We’re not on the playground anymore. Recognize that your yelling is probably closely attached to anger. Adults don’t respond well to being yelled at. (If this is a toughie for you, hire a coach.)
4.Nonchalance in hiring help. Getting the right talent on board is the most important determinant of your future success. Make sure you choose wisely and gain people whose work styles, expertise and preferences are different from yours. Casually loading the payroll with your clones creates an ugly outcome.
5. Over-demanding. Just because you’re a workaholic, don’t expect your employees to surrender well-balanced lives in order to meet your expectations.There are always times to push hard but when it is a time not to then ease of and relax the team a little, don't burn them out
6.Ignoring outstanding achievement. Nothing is more demoralizing than having one’s efforts go unappreciated. Ignoring it is also a good way to ensure that the extra efforts will cease.
7. The appearance of favoritism. Just because she’s your relation doesn’t mean she deserves special consideration or that the rules don’t apply to her. Don’t think others don’t see it. They’re neither blind nor stupid and the last thing you need is to breed resentment in your staff.
8. Not walking your talk. Even in small matters (e.g. “I’ll get back to you on that.”– followed by silence) the discrepancies add up, sometimes to the point that nobody either believes you or is willing to depend on you. Not a rosy work picture.
9. Threatening. Intimidation never brought out anybody’s best. Instead of threats, simply describe consequences (in a calm manner and voice) and leave the decision to the individual. If the person fails to deliver, impose the promised consequence again in a calm manner and voice. (See number 8.)
10. Not making your expectations clear. Even the best-intentioned employees aren’t mind-readers. You tell them (preferably in writing) the WHAT and let them figure out the HOW. That’s what makes their job challenging. (See Number 1.)
11. BONUS! Taking credit for others’ work. Probably the most effective way to drive talent out the door! Nothing is more demoralizing, disappointing, frustrating, angerinducing and resentment-creating than having your insecure, egomaniacal boss step up proudly and display your work as his own
Slainte Gordon
PSS have a read at Adelino de Almeida's Blog @ adelino.typepad.com, some excellant stuff on analysis of markets etc...a good read you should pay him a visit..
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