By Sherif Attar
In a world of ever-changing ambiguity and uncertainty, executives have to face two challenges: excellent performance and people development. Where many managers think those endeavours are “competing”, this author believes they are “completing”. GET DOWN TO BUSINESS argues.
Arecent study found that 87 per cent of employees have had a bad boss.(Are you one?) So, would you like to join the horrible bosses? This is how.
1) Blame failures on others
Good bosses admit their mistakes and learn from them. So, blame the teams for failures and take no responsibility. Also take credit for their successes.
2) Never apologise
It’s a sign of weakness and causes staff to question their authority. The opposite is true. Apologising helps build respect and trust.
3) Don’t pull their own weight
Bosses should be role models for their employees and work just as hard.
4) Be clueless when it comes to employees’ jobs
Good managers take an interest in their employees and their jobs and are there when there’s an emergency.
5) Cause drama
If you love office drama, you’re a bad boss. If you’re the cause of the drama, you’re one of those really horrible bosses! No office is drama free. But as a manager your job is to step in and handle it.
6) Don’t respect personal boundaries
Managers who call their employees after hours are disliked … a lot! Good managers realise employees have a life outside the office.
7) Make employees miserable
Managers should want to see their employees happy because happy workers are productive workers. Miserable employees focus on misery and despise their boss.
8) Allow w3orkers to struggle
Bad bosses don’t relay goals and vision to the team. They provide no guidance, assuming their team may figure it out. Why? It’ll give them an excuse to blame their team when things go wrong.
9) Never utter the words ‘thank You’
Employees who respect their managers don’t mind going the extra mile for them. Sometimes a simple thank you is all that’s needed.
10) Breed constant turnover
A sure sign of a bad boss – constant turnover. “People don’t leave companies; they leave managers.”Bad managers have HR on speed dial because people don’t like to work for them.
11) Have an under-performing team
When teams aren’t doing well it’s typically not their fault. Employees need goals and direction, and if they aren’t getting it, they won’t do well.
12) Stand alone
People who stink at management find themselves alone because other “good” managers don’t want to be associated with them. Their own staff even starts to ignore them because they lose respect for them.
Being a “good” boss isn’t easy. It takes many different skills, and there’s always something to improve. But if you treat your employees fairly, consistently and with respect, you’re probably there.
For questions or suggestions, please send your comments.
Sherif Attar, an independent management consultant/traine r and organisation development authority, delivers seminars in the US, Europe, Middle East and the Far East.
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