Being The Boss.
Jun 16, 2009
Over my career I have experienced demoralization from certain bosses, and have worked in environments where complete teams and even entire companies felt shamed. For those so inclined, I lay out the top 6 techiques for creating a thoroughly demoralized team. These techniques will ensure that your company never reaches its goals, that staff turnover will be in double digits, and company value is squandered. Use them carefully...
- Mistakes - when an employee makes a mistake, make sure they're punished well, point a finger at them, scold them, and get really angry with them for what they did or did not do. Do this in front of other employees, so they will realize they must do a good job all the time in order to avoid punishment. Results: anxiety, depression, risk-avoidance, lack of initiative, more involvement for boss in minding activities.
- Demoralize. Change your mind constantly on what needs to be done. You're the boss, so you can adjust your instructions regularly, tell your people how to do their jobs, establish and maintain an environment where your staff know who's the boss and will always come to you on very decision. Results: confusion, distrust, paranoia, risk avoidance, lack of initiative, more involvement for boss in minding.
- Delegation. Give your people precise instructions on the how and why and when it must be done, and do not allow any negotiation. Let your people be clear that someone superior to them knows best and that questioning authority will limit their career and promotability. Make sure they know that if they work here, they do as they are told, and that they are simply a replaceable set of hands to get the work done. Results: anxiety, depression, anger, bitterness yada, yada, yada...
- Instruct. Give your team brief instructions and an impossible deadline. Tell them it needs to be done in six weeks no matter what, and you'll want an update tomorrow. Results: Anger, depression, confusion, hopelessness, low morale, minding...
- Fire at will. One of your employees is not doing her job, being distracted and casting a black cloud upon the other employees. Don't listen to excuses, or waste time in counseling a previously good employee. Fire her. Don't explain to your employees what happened - they'll just know that you do not tolerate poor work and bad-mouthing and they'll never do it because they fear getting fired. Results: Need you ask...
- Conspiciously Consume. Have the repair bill for your Ferrari faxed to the office fax. Charge the cigarette boat mooring fees to the company for entertainment. Have your book-keeper take care of the Monte Carlo condo bookings. Results: Why do you need to ask...?
It's hard to be a boss, but even harder to be an encouraging leader. Many studies prove a positive correlation between great business results, increasing company value and high employee morale. What's your choice, boss?
To discuss your corporate value, talk to David Kirkup, Partner with B2B CFO. Call me on 770 845 6897 or dkirkup@b2bcfo.com.
"A boss creates fear, a leader confidence. A boss fixes blame, a leader corrects mistakes. A boss knows all, a leader asks questions. A boss makes work drudgery, a leader makes it interesting."
