I'm a Manager and when trying to get staff to do their share, get put down. I dont order I ask is this wrong ?

Question

I am in a new premises, but not new Manager.

Answer 1

I'm a Director also and have the same problem at times. I work with very young people who may not always take their jobs seriously. I also am not a micro manager, preferring to allow people to work at their own pace to keep morale up however there are times this doesn't work either. If all your staff are not following your directives, I would have a staff meeting and in your own words explain the problem you are having and allow for some professional feedback for your staff. Remind them that failure to follow their supervisor's directives is insubordination and can result in discipline. Say you don't want to go this route but if productivity does not improve and directives are not followed, you will have no choice but to do so. Now if it is an individual or a few individuals, I would meet with them privately (always have a witness though since some staff will exxagerate)and go over the need for teamwork and the above information. Explain that you are willing to listen to suggestions but directives need to be completed in a timely manner. I don't order either and my program runs extremely well with a few glitches here and there. My seasoned staff will tell the problem staff that I am very nice and fair but she does not play when it comes to work and that may be the type of boss you are as well, just needing to toughen up a little. I never order and I personally resent when people give me orders so I try to show staff respect at all times. It takes time, but you can correct the problems you are having. My quess is you have some staff that really like you and just need a little direction. You may also have some staff who think they can do the job better and therefor will continue to ignore you. If you earn the respect of your stronger staff, they can help keep the problem staff in line. And if not, they will understand that the problem staff need to be disciplined. Much luck to you, You can get this situation in control with a little effort.

Answer 2

Taking on the role as a Manager means that you have a position which is above all the other employees who have to follow your judgements and do as they are told. Therefore you being a friendly person, is not going to help! They wil not take you seriously and think its ok to not do what you ask. If you start showning just what you can by either making an example of someone or making sure everyone who does not do as they are required will have a consequence to deal with. Show some authority because without it you will continue to be disappointed. You sound like a person who has just started a Manager role so that acceptance from your employees shows that you have got what it takes but do what you feel is right and you shall suceed but also be firm in what you do.

Answer 3

No not wrong at all. But your staff should show you the respect of your position as manager. If they don't do as you ask, then what are they doing the job. When you work for a company of any kind you have to follow rules that are laid down by the said company. As in any job there has got to managers, foremen etc. other wise anarchy and nothing will get done. You will find that you may have to be firm with the staff who "put you down" . they should realise that you also have to answer to someone who is above you who you have to report to. I know this sound bad but you may have to as they say " give them hell"
Good Luck on this

Answer 4

I believe u are not wrong!
I was a manager in a large supermarket and my policy was always to ask not tell and never ask my staff to do something that i wasn't prepared to do myself. I was a very hands on manager and believed this got the better response from mu collegues as they respected u more.
I also believe that staff need to know where they stand and understand that you are their manager and are responsible for their actions or lack off. There has to be a consequence if they dont do what they are asked and descipline procedures in place or u shall find they walk all over u!!!!!!

Answer 5

No its not wrong ask first and if you don't get a response then if the job is in job description then tell the person you originally asked you want it done.. i always believe never ask anyone to do a job unless you are willing to do the job your self..as a manager its your job to over see that your staff perform to maximum service.. you need to realise you are not running a Holiday camp..
any jobs going by the way :) point out to them if they dont want to do the job vacancy's can be filled :) Good Luck

Answer 6

Looks like youve got a lot of answers here!I need more information to diagnose this problem properly.

In a new place people are not yet confident in their jobs yet. People are forming groups of influence. If they are negative towards the business then you must identify them and stop them from exerting influence. To do this you have to be the main person of influence in the business and exert your influence to form positive perceptions of work.

But your style has to change to the place. Strict policy may work but in the long term that would create turnover of staff and would negatively affect the business ability to perform. Besides all modern research proves that if a strict policy is used it badly affects service quality, if it is indeed a service business.

What you need to do is give them a reason to work. Sounds simple but very difficult to put into practice. You need to have goals for the business and staff have to feel part of this. Leadership is required, positive motivation and leading by example and again exert your influence. As i said they may not be confident in their jobs so a lot of training would be good and promote the people who pick it up quickly.

I think you need to be a bit strict but not too much to drive them away. strictness in a fair way so that people know your in charge. Be firm but fair!

People spend a lot of time at work so they have to enjoy it and if they are new to the business then they will not be confident in their jobs so you have to make the work enjoyable, so you need to lead this.

Also you should have some supervisors, a supervisor will help you exert your influence. Strengthen the manahgement team and exert influence and strength over the staff so that theynknow your in charge. Take control of the business. But remember that people dont respond well to strict behaviour all the time.

I would introduce strictness slightly at the beginning exerting influence with strong management. Other ways would be to use meetings with each individual staff to discipline them by instructing them to apply more effort at work. Using the supervisors to be present at such interviews.

Once everybody know the script and is doing work then motivate them with the businesses objectives, train the staff and develop them, give them more responsibility, get a bit of humour, get the team work, arrange night outs, have birthday party's, drive standards and lead them to achieve success every day.

Remember exert influence, use your supervisors, use strictness and strong management to get them to work then boom use my techniques to get them to excell and you'll be getting rave reviews from your boss.

Hope this helps.

Answer 7

Most staff react to your voice, you must sound confident and firm. If you have not gained respect in this way it is hard to change your staff attitude. Therefore you must know the job you are are assigning and be able to do it better and more efficient than they can, that way you sound confident act confident, show how to do the fair share and be firm

Answer 8

Remind them that they are contractually obliged to follow your instruction, although doing this (informing them) will certainly create bad feeling, and you will find certain individuals will deliberately make life harder if they can, by being belligerant , awkward and obstructive.
Anyone who asserts authority to a peer group will be met with hostility, but in order to maintain your credibility and ultimately your job, you need to assert and define your position.

Very often its the actions of one person, which the others will follow or agree with in order to remain part of the group, who will create this hostility. These are very often the individuals you need to target and "get on board", they will in turn motivate the rest of the group aong with your input.

Bottom line is to assert and confirm your authority, as much as it will leave a sour taste, it has to be done.

Answer 9

Yes. You should indicate what you need done, why you need it done and how you need it done. Provide a deadline of mutual agreement. Indicate to staff that you'll have a "chat" within the next two days to discuss progress made on the task you've assigned to them. Be open to their suggestions regarding the completion of the assignment, perhaps they need more time or instruction, but the assignment remains part of their "to do" list and it is expected by you on time.

Answer 10

It depends on the relationship you and your staff maintain. If your staff is cooperative and do whatever office work you ask them to do, then it is alright. Otherwise you will have to tell and the next step would be to order to get the work done.