5 MANAGEMENT TRAITS THAT HOLD PEOPLE & PROFITS BACK
Eliminate these traits and you will eliminate productivity and profit killers!
‘’When you choose a habit, you also choose the consequences of that habit’’
One: I’m Right, OK!
Why? Because I’m the boss, you’re beneath me and I’m more successful so I must know better.
If I’m right, you must be wrong, which puts you in your place.
I’ve been there and done it, even if the environment has changed, I still know more so you need to do things my way.
Because I know, you don’t need to offer your opinion or input thanks.
NB. This makes people feel under- valued and unappreciated, which happens to be one, if not the key value drivers of employees today.
Two: Abusing my position!
I have the power and authority; therefore you don’t because you report to me.
I might not lead by example but you still have to do what I say, even if you disagree, just do it.
I may put you down but it’s okay because it make me feel superior, which I am of course.
You can disagree BUT I have the final say. I’ll bully you a little but it’s not real bullying.
NB. Using authority to demand action has far less positive or lasting effects than inspiring people to act. People want to contribute by being involved, not told.
Three: This is my style, it’s me!
My style of communicating and doing things has served me well (up to now) so I will continue to manage everyone the same way, my way.
I have to be seen to treat everyone the same so will not change my style or input, even with different people, skill levels, competence, experiences, situations or challenges.
I set the pace when I did your role, so you need to follow my lead and operate in the same way, even though you’re different.
NB. Thriving in business today means being agile and adapting faster and better, staying the same will limit your growth and that of your team.
Four: So, I have mood swings!
So one day I’m up and another day I’m down, you’ll just have to deal with it.
It may put you on edge, you may not know what’s going on, I communicate some things some of the time and then leave you wondering.
You just need to show me some empathy, even though I know my emotions are contiguous and when I’m down, you may be too but I’ll tell you to lift your spirits.
NB. Emotions drive behaviour so be aware about what impact yours are having on morale, motivation and of course, results.
Five: I can’t trust you!
I micro-manage because I need to be sure things get done, I’m sorry if it offends you and drives you mad but hey, it’s my job.
It’s the way business is these days, we have to drive people, drive results and succeed at all costs.
Yes, I could direct, support, coach, counsel and lead more often, and I could cut you some slack but it’s easier for me this way, my own manager can see I’m doing something and it keeps them off my back.
NB. In short, this habit is a cop out for lazy or incompetent managers and disguises weaknesses.
Individually these traits can harm results, in combinations they can destroy a business!
Each one can have a different impact on different people of course and in combinations, they can have destructive effects on people’s lives. Their stress levels rise, they work below capability and can take negative feelings home.
Often these management traits go unnoticed because managers may be getting (some) results and don’t see how much more they could be accomplishing.
This happens for two key reasons,
- Their people don’t tell them when they feel because they don’t like to give criticism up the line, i.e. fear.
- Managers never think to ask or don’t know how to ask.
This is not just about two-way communication but connecting with your staff in a way that you can have honest conversations without either of you feeling uneasy.
The easiest way to resolve this is to ask what you could be doing better rather than what you’re doing wrong. This way, you focus attention on future desired behaviours instead of past behaviors.
In effect, look ahead to who you can be for your people and what they could achieve with new behaviours in place that motivate and inspire them versus old traits that drive performance down or at best, keep it average.
Eliminate these and other morale and motivation damaging traits and you’ll clear the path for people to be at their best more often!
ABOUT REECE PYE
An Award Winning Sales, Management & Business Leader and Specialist in the Field of Positive Influence & Persuasion
In his career to date, he’s helped grow UK businesses or business units of major corporations from scratch to nearly £20 million in annual revenues and high profit margins; these include a turnaround business service organisation, establishing overseas high tech propositions into the UK Fraud Market and leading top performing sales channels and transformation projects within a FTSE 100.
Reece now works 1–2–1 advising, coaching and mentoring clients who need turnaround solutions, are struggling with sales or growth pains or who just want to take their business to another level and turn to Reece for his practical know-how and experience.
Reece lives by his mantra…
‘’You don’t need to motivate good people, just stop demotivating them and set them free to do their best work’’
E: reece@eliminationpro.co.uk W: www.eliminationpro.co.uk