Becoming a better manager?

Question

I remember being bullied at work by my manager and vowed never to be a ***** when I was to become one. So I took the friendly approach in my new job but now the whole team walk all over me and never do anythign I ask off them which in return is making my position difficult. Do I now become firm with them even if I will come across as a *****? Im not too concerned with how others think off me as this job is pretty laid back and most importantly I enjoy it. If worst comes to worst I can summary dismiss them and get a new team. Many chances have already been given. Im not being unfair at all am I?

Answer 1

I did exactly the same thing and know I am learning a whole new approach. I had to work on setting boundaries and just letting them know how far they could NOT push me. You have to be consistent and learn that your co-workers are not your friends and vice versa, if you do have friends that you work with and your their boss you must let them know that business is business and its not personal. You can not make it personal, you must be business like and even though you want to be a better boss than the ones you've had you need to take from that experience and grow. It isn't easy being someones boss and sometimes they will try to take you for granted. You need to outline what you need done and assign time lines and deadlines and have mini meetings to find out where everyone is and make sure everyone is doing his or her job and pulling their weight. Do a performance review and find out where everyone is, if that isn't possible try assigning different tasks and finding everyone's strength's and weakness's

It does get easier, I promise. Be firm and non judgmental, also make sure each one understands that you are the boss and they are your employee, draw the line and good luck!!

I have total faith in you!

Answer 2

First thing first, all staff must have written job descriptions detailing exactly what their duties and responsibilities are and exactly what the companies expectations are of it's employees.

The next problem you may encounter is that summary dismissal (My experience is with UK employment law) can only be carried out in cases where a gross breach of employment contract has ocurred. If you have given many chances before and none of these have been officially recorded (IE a written warning) then you will have a major problem...Gone are the days in UK / Europe when an employer can say "Your Fired!!"

My advice is to take the individual/s to one side, one at a time and tell them you are required to do a work appraisel on their performance by head office. Set a time and date for the appraisel in a private office / area of your work. This way they will know that you are talking as a manager and in an official capacity. Be clear and honest with your assessment. Tell them the area's they perform well in and the area's they need to improve in. If you are unhappy with their performance you must explain why you are not happy and how they can improve things, do not be completely negative as this will come across as personal. You must be calm, professional and you are in no way allowed to discuss the details of the conversation with other members of staff unless you are reporting a possible problem area to your superiors. At the appraisel interview, on no account get drawn into a slanging match, if they become abusive terminate the interview immediately and report to your area manager / superior for further advice..sacking may become an option at this point.

This should be enough to bring most people around, however you may have to go further and give them an official written warning. Consult with your superiors / area manager as to exactly how you should approach the situation. I have recently had to "sack" a member of my staff and the whole process took 7 months. As an employer you must be seen to be trying to help your members of staff adjust / become better employee's only when all avenue's have been followed can you fire them.

The "laid back manager" is a very good approach, I prefer to run things that way myself as I also enjoy my work. But never let people forget you are still "The Boss" and "The Buck stops at you" never let anyone mistake polite manners and a laid by style management for weakness.


All the best, hope it all works out for you

Answer 3

Managing people is a very difficult job. You have to draw the line somewhere between friendship and work. First of all a good manager will never ask their team to do something the manager doesn't do themselves. This will give them more respect for you. I think maybe you should sit your team down and have an open forum discussion. Let them vent first...take notes so they know you are really listening to them and then tell them you need their help to make things go smoother. Be prepared to give tham examples and always find something to praise them for before you do any of the requesting yourself. Be honest with them. Tell tem you feel like you have a great team but some things need some work and you are asking for their help. It's the best way to get people to work harder for you. Good Luck

Answer 4

I was in a similar situation about a year ago. I worked up through the ranks with the girls I was then supposed to manage. We used to go drinking, hang out and gossip together and all of a sudden I had to tell them what to do.
It was a steep learning curve, but as soon as I realised that I had to look after my career and take the confidence to assert my authority things got easier.
You don't have to be the kind of manager who is a bully, but you do have to let people know where they stand and that you won't take any s**t from anyone. You can be friendly but always remember you're the boss. Good luck putting it into practice, once it all falls into place you'll feel much better.

Answer 5

Of course you can be friendly with your staff, it is important that they realise that you are in charge.
If you work for a large(ish) company they will have disciplinary procedures in place.
I think you need to work out a training program which incorporates all the procedures, this will give them something to think about.
If you have a depute manager working under you then get him on your side, he is, after all part of the management structure and should be willing to take on some of the responsibilities, if not then have him replaced.
You should then look at starting disciplinary procedures against anyone that is clearly taking the P**s.
It is difficult if you have been promoted from the ranks but your company should have procedures in place.
I would be carefull about sacking your whole team but i would certainly look at sorting out the troublemakers. Target the ring leaders and the rest will fall into line (Hopefully)
Good Luck.

Answer 6

When you first became the manager, you should have set down with everybody as a group and laid out your expectations and and what they could expect from you in return.

It's still not too late but is now more difficult as they are "running over you." Simply explain to your crew, what you expect from them and let them know that you have a responsibility and they are part of it. Be firm to let them know that if the goals are not met there will be consequenses.

You don't have to be harsh but you do have to make them understand. If need be, get with them one on one and spell it out, especially if there is a hard nose trouble maker in the group.

You can do this, it's your job.

You can read more on leadership on this site.

Answer 7

Be consistant.

Firm but fair is the answer, most people are either too hard and treat their Team like underlings or are too soft and want to be everyones friend.

If you want to manage people sucessfully then work out what needs to be done then sit the whole team down and tell them what is expected of the team.

then sit each individual down and let them know what is expected of them individually.

On both these occasions make it clear what your contribution is.

Anyone not then clear does not want to be on your team so they are free to go work somewhere else. If you find you have the same problem with your new team then you have to look at yourself and your need to improve your management skills.

Answer 8

Yes, It would be unfair to them if you did so without prior warning , after all, you as the manager allowed this situatution to develop. Being assertive is not the same as bullying.

Time for a Team Meeting to reset the boundaries. Think about it carefully before proceeding. What do you want to change? What is a positive way to go about it? Do they lack motovation and what are you/they aiming for?

Think you might find this Management page of interest -

http://www.see.ed.ac.uk/~gerard/Management/art6.html

And this one on assertiveness

http://www.utexas.edu/student/cmhc/booklets/assert/assertive.html

Good luck

Answer 9

a Boss has to be Hard but Fair. Nothing personal , it's just business.
A Boss as well does not think he / she is better than the rest of the team-while it is true that he/she is the leader, being a listener for suggestion that will make work more efficient does not hurt.
A Boss gives his/her people motivation inspiration.

Answer 10

Sorry to say it but the secret to being a great manager IS to be an a**hole. People will not like you but they will respect you and the position you hold, of course you dont have to be unnecessary, but what i like to do is dish out the odd written warning from time to time, ive never been argued with because the fact is they understand i have the power to hire or fire them and as long as they do there job to the best of there abilities we will all get along, we'll never go out for a drinks of a friday night.. but i have my own friends outside of work who i can relax with so it doesnt matter to me!