Great Managers

[PeterPanic]

"My job is not to do your job. My job is to clear all the roadblocks that would otherwise interfere with you doing your job"

Said my favorite manager ever. I try to do the same now that I'm in that position.

The problem with a question like that is that there can be a difference between a "good" manager in the eyes of employee's and being an effective Manager in the eye of the company.

All managers want to be liked by their people, but they cannot always be Mr. Nice Guy/Girl! Sometimes they are called upon to do some really unpleasant things. I had my share of both good times and bad times as a Manager. I also had that combination as a worker.

I found out a number of things as a Manager. I found that many people will do whatever they can to manipulate you to do things their way. I found that some people will do whatever they can to make you look bad in the eyes of your superiors. I found that many people will only do the absolute minimum needed to not get fired. (you can recognize them, they're the ones that are first on the list when layoffs come around) I also found that there are many people that you can completely rely on to be there to help you out when needed. I also found that people need support and encouragement and none like to be criticized in private, much less in public.

A manager should be there to help with finding ways to make the job easier for his/her workers, but, and this is very important, always listen to the people that do the work for ideas on how to make it better. Never think you have all the answers.

A manager will probably have a lot of confidence in themselves about how a job should be done. They have opinions like everyone else, however, the sooner that they realize that their way is not the only way, the smoother things will go.

In an emergency, a manager should always jump in and help meet a deadline or accomplish a task, but, that is not your job. Your job is to avoid emergencies by making sure that everything that is needed is in place.

And always, always back up your employee when you feel that they did the right thing and followed the book. Otherwise, throw away the book, it's useless if it isn't followed.

Be friendly, but, not a "buddy". Be calm in the face of problems, but, not emotionless. Treat people in a manner that you would want to be treated, in a fair, thoughtful manner.

 

[Pooh_Friend#1]

This is such a timely thread for me. I'm working on my 3rd week as a brand new supervisor in hard times and struggles and it has been eye opening. The people who once thought I was amazingly hard worker and team player has now decided that I am evil all because of the title. I literally just changed from a team lead to a supervisor, doing the exact same things as before, but now I am the worst person here!

 

[Gumbo4x4]

The problem with a question like that is that there can be a difference between a "good" manager in the eyes of employee's and being an effective Manager in the eye of the company.

All managers want to be liked by their people, but they cannot always be Mr. Nice Guy/Girl! Sometimes they are called upon to do some really unpleasant things. I had my share of both good times and bad times as a Manager. I also had that combination as a worker.

I found out a number of things as a Manager. I found that many people will do whatever they can to manipulate you to do things their way. I found that some people will do whatever they can to make you look bad in the eyes of your superiors. I found that many people will only do the absolute minimum needed to not get fired. (you can recognize them, they're the ones that are first on the list when layoffs come around) I also found that there are many people that you can completely rely on to be there to help you out when needed. I also found that people need support and encouragement and none like to be criticized in private, much less in public.

A manager should be there to help with finding ways to make the job easier for his/her workers, but, and this is very important, always listen to the people that do the work for ideas on how to make it better. Never think you have all the answers.

A manager will probably have a lot of confidence in themselves about how a job should be done. They have opinions like everyone else, however, the sooner that they realize that their way is not the only way, the smoother things will go.

In an emergency, a manager should always jump in and help meet a deadline or accomplish a task, but, that is not your job. Your job is to avoid emergencies by making sure that everything that is needed is in place.

And always, always back up your employee when you feel that they did the right thing and followed the book. Otherwise, throw away the book, it's useless if it isn't followed.

Be friendly, but, not a "buddy". Be calm in the face of problems, but, not emotionless. Treat people in a manner that you would want to be treated, in a fair, thoughtful manner.

Staying out of your employee's way doesn't mean letting them get away with poor results.

It's a matter of making their jobs easier than they could be as opposed to making them more difficult than need be.

Edit: one other thing good managers do is surround themselves with good people.

 

[It'sWDW4me]

My worst manager (he actually owns the small company) to date:

micro-micro-managed - first put the incoming invoices on your desk here then stamp them and put them on your desk here then enter them and put them on your desk here.... Seriously dude?!?! Maybe I work better by putting them THERE... and then THERE...


crossed ALL kinds of personal boundaries - thought he was being "helpful" by telling me about how he "didn't even RECOGNIZE" his favorite waitress because she lost. SO. much. weight due to her bariatric surgery. I "might want to look into that" The week before the Presidential election, he wanted to include a note in our paycheck envelopes about his favored candidate and why we should all vote for him. Somehow, the woman doing HR put the kibosh on THAT gem.


changed policies on a whim - there was a holiday (July 4th perhaps?) that fell on a Saturday. Normally, if the holiday fell on a weekend we were SOL - work on Friday, back on Monday, no paid day off. In January, he decided that we'd have that Friday off with pay. In mid to late June, he ranted that he NEVER said that. Too bad if you already had vacation plans - it was business as usual that Friday before the holiday.


I worked 3 llllooooooonnnnngggg years with that ******* before I was able to get an immeasurably better job!





My best manager?

Here's what I need for you to accomplish before XX day. Let me know what you need from me to be able to get that done.


Oh, it's ok - your son's sick. Hope he feels better soon! We'll see you tomorrow.


I worked 7 1/2 years and occasional free OT (nothing crazy but half an hour here, 20 minutes there) for this woman!

 

[dakcp2001]

They are not afraid to address the problem issue or person.

A bad manager will make a policy to punish everyone because they do not have the guts to go to the offending person and put the hammer down.[/QUOTE]

That is my least favorite kind of manager. Don't send out group emails and change all the polices because ONE person sucks at showing up on time. Address the slacker directly and make them change their behavior. Our entire floor has to carry 2 cell phones (yes TWO giant old bulky cell phones) because 2 nurses never answer their phone. Guess what happens when they carry 2? They still ignore it while the rest of us carry 20lbs of outdated technology in our pocket. We also all had to start showing up 15 minutes earlier because of "chronic tardiness." Those of us who were always on time are still always on time. The 2 who are always late are still always late, now they are just later.

 

[dakcp2001]

As far as previous experience, a good manager is someone you like and wan t to work hard for. A LEADER is not the same as a boss. Listen to your employees, if there is a problem, hear them out and see what steps you can take to fix it. Don't tell them you've got too much to do then sit on your computer on facebook. If you try to help them they will try to help you.

 

[Robinrs]

My favorite manager of ALL time is my current best friend and godmother of my child.

She made us all feel so important. She stopped whatever she was doing to listen to us whenever we came in.

She worked as hard or harder than any of us.

She told me once, "I hire people KNOWING I've hired full grown adults. I don't like to have to tell adults how to be adults" (LOOOOOVE this!!)

The best thing I learned from her is to constantly praise my workers for their gifts. Everyone is not good at everything but most people are excellent at SOMETHING. Praise is priceless when you want a employee to work harder.

Truthfully, all of these points taught me a lot about parenting, too! Praise, attention, time, and being an example are true signs of leadership.

 

[Bob NC]

That is my least favorite kind of manager. Don't send out group emails and change all the polices because ONE person sucks at showing up on time. Address the slacker directly and make them change their behavior. Our entire floor has to carry 2 cell phones (yes TWO giant old bulky cell phones) because 2 nurses never answer their phone. Guess what happens when they carry 2? They still ignore it while the rest of us carry 20lbs of outdated technology in our pocket. We also all had to start showing up 15 minutes earlier because of "chronic tardiness." Those of us who were always on time are still always on time. The 2 who are always late are still always late, now they are just later.

I call this "Managing to the Lowest Common Denominator", and I can't stand it.

If William doesn't wear socks, just tell him to rather then rewriting the entire dress code.

If Mary is 5 minutes late all the time, take it up with her rather then lowering the hammer on EVERYONE.

 

[bettymae1121]

OP, I think the fact that you are asking about this already puts you ahead of the game!

 

[Robinrs]

OP, I think the fact that you are asking about this already puts you ahead of the game!

Couldn't agree more!

 

[ironpig70]

Great managers lead from the front, they do not ask you to do anything they wouldn't do(or have not done) themselves.

 

[PeterPanic]

The absolute worst manager that I ever worked for did many things that I thought were awful, but the worst was that she would make lists of everything you did wrong during the year.

The last year I worked there I went in for my yearly review and was told that I was not getting a raise that year because...and she started to read off a two page list.

My mouth must have hung open for quite a distance mainly because this was the first time I had ever heard any of the complaints. Some were total BS, but there were some that I unknowingly was doing wrong. Her supervisor was in the room as well, because I think they felt that I was going to be hostile about the review.

Instead I asked her, quite calmly, why she had never mentioned any of these to me in the past. Her reply was, "I have more things to do then to just tell everyone about what they are doing wrong". (Shock) What is your job then? Blind siding employees with problems that they didn't even know existed? I asked.

I could see her supervisor kind of give her a surprised glance. I never raised my voice nor uttered a complaint. I just found another job about two weeks later and, feeling the need to vent just a little, I didn't give them a notice. (only time I ever did that) What I did was on my way out that last day, I left a note on her desk that said. 'I have accepted a job elsewhere, I would have told you, but, I was just too busy to let you know ahead of time. Thanks for everything....'

 

[Nette]

Good managers don't view introversion as a character flaw.

I HATE it when managers try to get me to "come out of my shell".

 

[laurafergie]

Good managers COMMUNICATE. Everyone appreciates knowing clear and concise instructions, the scoop of the day, any changes or any new goals. Otherwise, you just feel like you've been thrown to the wolves.

Don't be wishy washy about correcting, but don't be a _____ either. Positive feedback, negative feedback then positive feedback again is always a good combo.

Your personal problems or irritation of another worker should never show in your voice or demeanor. Be polite and speak to your people the way you would wish to be addressed.

Listen more than talk.

 

[gunka]

Do weekly One on One's with your direct reports. These should not last more than 1/2 hour. Let the first 15 min be decided by the employee (Meaning do all the listening). Document these and save them - they will come in very handy at review time.

 

[can'tgetenufofwdw]

Great managers understand work is not everyone's #1 priority... family usually is. Employees can't always control what happens to their family (thinking sick kids).

This When I was promoted to my current management position I told my subordinates that their families come 1st. I honestly believe that people fill their emotional tanks at home. If their tanks are full than I get their best when they are on my time.

I have followed this philosophy throughout my years in management and it has worked for me. I have employees who know that I care about their families so they are happy. and eager to please. For me it's a win win.

 

[charming23]

My current manager is amazing. We work in retail and except for Monday mornings when she has a conference call , and finishes paperwork, she is always out helping. She does everything. She also always thanks us when we come in extra or go above our jobs. She is also very understanding about families and goes out of her way to help us personally.

My last manager was a witch. She yelled , made people cry, never did anything, and set out to make everyone else miserable whenever she could.

 

[sasywtch]

I work for the worst right now, people are transferring all the time to get out of there.

You might think things get done more with micromanaging but they don't. Most employees know what they need to get done and get it done. If not, let them know what the daily or weekly expectation is and let them get it done.

My favorites?

I had one new supervisor who had a meeting with us when she started. She told us not to get into a wreck if running a few minutes late but if it's a habit, that's when the hammer would come down (on that person). If you're having a stressful day and need to get air outside for a few minutes and it's not your break time, fine but if it becomes a habit that you aren't at your desk, the hammer comes down. Basically, I'm treating you as an adult but don't take advantage. The one's I have now, I swear they have cameras watching when we go on break and when we get back.

My all time favorite manager: Even though she knows the basic work we do, she doesn't deal with the forms or the people directly. She called us in to her office and asked my coworker and I to take the forms home (she'd log us overtime) and write out the problems we saw and what recommendations for changes. OMGoodnesss....a manager who never sees the forms, never talks to the customers is actually asking the people who work with those forms for help???? If she ever got into a bind, we all would have been there to help her even on our own time. I can't say that about any other manager or supervisor I've had. Yes you are the supervisor, yes you may have done the job previously that someone else is doing that you are now supervising but don't discount that they may have some good ideas. Your most valuable resource is your employees. Don't take credit for your employee ideas, give them credit. An employee who feels respected and valued will do whatever they can for you. Micromanagers haven't figured that one out yet.

I also go with what others have said, do not put down an employee in front of others. Right now, my lead is allowed to yell at me and others in front of other people. I have worked for the state for 25 years and have never cried at work until this job.

 

[Friend of a Mouse]

Thank yyou for all of the different anecdotes. I am currently reading "Creating the Magic" by Lee Cockerell and am very excited about it. If I ever decide to leave teaching, I would like to do some kind of supervision/management full time. All of our managers read it and mentioned it to us at our start of the season meeting. I then read it and I can say that it is going to change how I interact with my guests and employees. It's neat because I worked for Disney for three college programs so when he gives some of the specific examples, I know what he is talking about because I was there. (He talks a lot about Hurricane Charlie which occurred during my first CP.)

I will say that the best managers I have ever had were when I worked Fantasyland Attractions at Disney. They always had different kinds of incentives going on where they would be on the lookout for specific types of behavior. If they saw it, we got candy bar with the guideline on it and we were entered into a drawing. It was nice because they were looking for things we were doing right instead of things that we were doing wrong.