How do I deal with a manager that does not stand behind his employees and is afraid of confrontation?

Question

I am seen as "negative" by my manager. He can't understand that what I'm feeling is frustration due to his poor management style.

Answer 1

AAAHHHH, the douchebag manager variety. no real way of getting through to him unfortunately. he's looking out for his own a s s and not yours or your co-workers. he will say to his supervisors whatever he wants to knowing full well they will take his word over you or your co-workers. best advice is for ALL of the employees to take this up to HIS superior and let it all out. you simply doing it by yourself makes you look negative as he put it and will only further his claim on you. if you all do it together and standup as one, the head man/woman will have no choice but to look and see what the problem is. I had a manager very similar to yours and everyone of the employees despised him greatly. you know the weasel manager who barks orders and makes you work longer shifts while he cuts out early to see his kids rendition of the sugar plum fairy? all eight of the employees cornered him and his manager. not surprisingly he turned coward and rather than rectify his short comings, he quit and went to work somewhere else.

Answer 2

Coaching, Coaching, Coached.

As a manager, I can appreciate the circumference of your situation. First ask yourself-

1) What parts of his management style can be improved?
2) Have I effectively coached him in these areas? (example to follow)
3) Did he respond negatively to my coaching? (to avoid future situations)
4) Am I so confident that I would do such a better job than he, that I have forgotten I am his subordinate and should, to the best of my ability, support him in his managerial decisions? (Inclusive meritocracy)

Remember, he convinced someone that he was the best candidate for the position and someone trusts him to manage their business. If you see flaws in his management, it is (in my opinion) your resposibility to effectively coach this person. This will be the true test. If he thanks you for this coaching, you have succeeded. If not, some of the other responses here may be the right road to travel.

Coaching is a science that when perfected will yield grand results. When coaching, first identify something you appreciate about the manager's performance (I'm sure you can find something). Be sincere. Then, mention some things you've noticed that are uncharacteristic and show him/her that you care by offering your assistance to make things easier for him. Again, be sincere. Do not put your manager on the spot. This is an attempt to gain information and he should respect you for it. At the bare minimum he will feel appreciated when you offer your support in what may be a trying time for this person.

We all get frustrated when we see things that can be improved that are not fixed immediately. Don't let this affect your attitude- especially if you haven't taken steps yourself to make it better.

Tough love- it hurts, but makes us stronger.
jv

Answer 3

It sounds like you are a victim of the Peter Principle. Your manager has been promoted to his highest level of incompetence.

About the only thing solid I can suggest is keeping a log of your work accomplishments and time utilization. Unfortunately your work-a-day options are limited. You can spend your time watching your back, you can insist on instructions in writing and obey them to the letter, you can complain to his boss or you can start looking for another job perhaps a lateral within your current company. A whole new job in a new company may eventually be the best answer. I would recommend you dust off your resume and polish it up a bit then send it to a few companies you would be interested in. List your reason for leaving as, "a desire to explore new avenues and especially new challenges" or words to that effect.

Company leadership will eventually detect the real problem but a number of his workers may be dismissed in the meantime.

I know these are things you already know, or should but your options really are very limited.

Answer 4

Make a set appointment with this manager to discuss the problem. Explain it and your reactions and feelings then put the manager in a polite spot by asking how He or She intends to deal with it and insist politely on an answer . Then ask their recomendation as to the next action you should take if their answer doesnot work and take it. Good luck

Answer 5

Do you work with me?? I am not seen as negative, but everything else matches my situation to a T. I have no way of handling my manger, she and I are going on 3 years together and nothing I have suggested has worked. She gives us a lot of assignments which I call monkey work...because they make no sense and someone else just has to redo all of the work later to sort out what she really meant to tell us vs. what she specifically told us to do.
Luckily I don't see or hear her that often because we work in different buildings. I really believe that unless you tell someone above him about his management style, that nothing will come of it. That is incredibly difficult and I don't plan on doing it myself, so I will just try to work in peace knowing that the work I am doing has no real meaning.

Answer 6

Contact Human Resources

Answer 7

Time to whip out the o'l resume and find another gig. I would get out of his department quick, fast and in a hurry. Going to personnel would only put you at odds with your manager and possibly ruin your reputation hindering your chance for advancement or any sort of a future there. He is management and he probably is not going to change or leave anytime soon. I would get out while it's early. Good luck!

Answer 8

Try talking with this person on a personal level before going above them to higher management. Try the below link for info.

Answer 9

If he can't deal with confrontation, this actually gives you a free hand to deal with the situation yourself. If the manager has any questions, this might make you look good to his superiors...

Answer 10

Go to upper management or check out company policy. Boy have I seen people humiliated and harassed by management and I have seen nothing done.