How to be a good boss (1 Viewer)

[Macdaddy_2004]

I'm starting a new role as an IT manager and I want to make sure I'm not doochey and I am actually helpful to my employees. I've had previous experience with past managers that are terrible so I am worried I won't know how to be a good manager.

Any tips for first time managers?

 

[Jayrok]

Introducing yourself to your IT team as Macdaddy would be a good start.

 

[Ditkaless Wonders]

Communicate expectations clearly.

Do not be rigid when it comes to policy change suggested by employees.

Dilly bar Fridays at your expense.

 

[Evilgrin 72]

Don't befriend your employees. Lead by example. Go to bat for them when necessary. Give them the tools and autonomy to succeed for themselves. Don't be afraid to coach them when they under-perform, but also give kudos where and when they're due.

These seem like simple platitudes but pretty much everything you need to engender respect and loyalty is in there.

 

[BowieMercs]

You are the boss, not their homey. Keep your role clear.

 

[TheIronSheik]

Let them hate you. As long as they fear you.

 

[matuski]

Don't expect perfection. Will cause you and your team a lot less stress.

 

[cstu]

Start with being respectful, showing appreciation for their work, and setting reasonable goals.

 

[TheIronSheik]

Hire Eminence.

 

[Insein]

Handjobs?

 

[cstu]

Introducing yourself to your IT team as Macdaddy would be a good start.

"We're a team, but remember, it's Team Macdaddy."

 

[mquinnjr]

Let them hate you. As long as they fear you.

Hopefully, they end up fearful of how much they love you.

 

[Bucky86]

Allow them to sleep with your wife.

 

[Insein]

Allow them to sleep with your wife.

But not to mow your lawn.

 

[Evilgrin 72]

Invite them to your house for a screening of "Pink Flamingos"

 

[Fat Nick]

100% agree that it's key to keep the line between boss and friend very clear.

Also, a big one in my eyes is to empower your employees to "own" their job responsibilities and you'll get more out of them. They own their successes, but you jointly share in their failures. Nobody wants to feel like they're just a lacky pushing paper up the chain.

 

[TheIronSheik]

Call a meeting and randomly fire someone. After he cleans out his desk, laugh and then say, "I was just joking. But seriously, that's your last warning." Then walk away while whistling.

 

[sublimeone]

1. Get your hands dirty: a lot of first time managers think managing is about putting your feet up on the desk and ordering your underlings around. They will hate you if they think you aren't willing to do what you are asking them to do. Especially at the beginning, be very hands-on. If you can show your team that you're a hard worker they will respect you and it will be much easier to lead them in the future.

2. Ask, don't tell people to do things: "Hey Bob, do you want to set up that server..." If he's a smart*** and says "no," say, "well do it anyway."

3. You are the manager. Don't apologize for it. If they think you don't have a pair, they will walk all over you.

4. If you need to discipline someone or talk to them about changing a behavior, do it in private.

5. Be aware of the vibe... if people are stressing... sometimes just saying, "Bob, is there one thing I can take off your plate right now that would make your day a little less stressful?" This means a lot to people.

6. Get rid of a**h**** as quickly as possible. They are a cancer and will destroy morale and drive you nuts. Number one identified of an ahole is disrespectful behavior to fellow employees and especially superiors.

 

[whoknew]

I don't agree that you can't be friends with your staff. Its an office - not the Army or a 1960s football team. You don't have to be a #### to be a boss. If you are - that's your failure.

Just be very clear with what you want accomplished. But also be cognizant of your employees' needs. And have fun - make it an enjoyable place to work. You don't need to change your personality just because you are the boss.

 

[elbowrm]

That's a great list. Praise in public, criticize in private is the most important.

 

[cstu]

What employees are really looking for in a boss is basically a chilled out entertainer.

 

[cstu]

1. Get your hands dirty: a lot of first time managers think managing is about putting your feet up on the desk and ordering your underlings around. They will hate you if they think you aren't willing to do what you are asking them to do. Especially at the beginning, be very hands-on. If you can show your team that you're a hard worker they will respect you and it will be much easier to lead them in the future.

2. Ask, don't tell people to do things: "Hey Bob, do you want to set up that server..." If he's a smart*** and says "no," say, "well do it anyway."

3. You are the manager. Don't apologize for it. If they think you don't have a pair, they will walk all over you.

4. If you need to discipline someone or talk to them about changing a behavior, do it in private.

5. Be aware of the vibe... if people are stressing... sometimes just saying, "Bob, is there one thing I can take off your plate right now that would make your day a little less stressful?" This means a lot to people.

6. Get rid of a**h**** as quickly as possible. They are a cancer and will destroy morale and drive you nuts. Number one identified of an ahole is disrespectful behavior to fellow employees and especially superiors.

It's basically like being a parent.

 

[cstu]

That's a great list. Praise in public, criticize in private is the most important.

Also, in private tell everyone they're the best employee you have.

 

[BowieMercs]

1. Get your hands dirty: a lot of first time managers think managing is about putting your feet up on the desk and ordering your underlings around. They will hate you if they think you aren't willing to do what you are asking them to do. Especially at the beginning, be very hands-on. If you can show your team that you're a hard worker they will respect you and it will be much easier to lead them in the future.

Yeah, NO. You are the manager now, Manage. If you wanted to do the work, you should have turned down the management role. Give them the tools, guidance and support to do the job and stay the HELL out of their way if the work gets done on time & on budget.

2. Ask, don't tell people to do things: "Hey Bob, do you want to set up that server..." If he's a smart*** and says "no," say, "well do it anyway."

3. You are the manager. Don't apologize for it. If they think you don't have a pair, they will walk all over you.

4. If you need to discipline someone or talk to them about changing a behavior, do it in private.

5. Be aware of the vibe... if people are stressing... sometimes just saying, "Bob, is there one thing I can take off your plate right now that would make your day a little less stressful?" This means a lot to people.

6. Get rid of a**h**** as quickly as possible. They are a cancer and will destroy morale and drive you nuts. Number one identified of an ahole is disrespectful behavior to fellow employees and especially superiors.

See comment in bold above

 

[cstu]

Call a meeting and randomly fire someone. After he cleans out his desk, laugh and then say, "I was just joking. But seriously, that's your last warning." Then walk away while whistling.

You just know Putin does this at least once a week.

 

[BowieMercs]

That's a great list. Praise in public, criticize in private is the most important.

Also, in private tell everyone they're the best employee you have.

Or you could be honest. The most valuable people will see through this BS & you will lose credibility with them.

 

[BowieMercs]

Read Dilbert every day & DON'T emulate the pointy haired boss.

 

[cstu]

Everyone is concerned about their future - make you let your employees know they will be allowed into your heavily stocked underground bunker in case of a nuclear or zombie attack.

 

[cstu]

That's a great list. Praise in public, criticize in private is the most important.

Also, in private tell everyone they're the best employee you have.

Or you could be honest. The most valuable people will see through this BS & you will lose credibility with them.

The most valuable people ARE your best employees so you're telling the truth.

 

[East Coast Bias]

Tell them you are the future CIO.

 

[sublimeone]

1. Get your hands dirty: a lot of first time managers think managing is about putting your feet up on the desk and ordering your underlings around. They will hate you if they think you aren't willing to do what you are asking them to do. Especially at the beginning, be very hands-on. If you can show your team that you're a hard worker they will respect you and it will be much easier to lead them in the future.

Yeah, NO. You are the manager now, Manage. If you wanted to do the work, you should have turned down the management role. Give them the tools, guidance and support to do the job and stay the HELL out of their way if the work gets done on time & on budget.

2. Ask, don't tell people to do things: "Hey Bob, do you want to set up that server..." If he's a smart*** and says "no," say, "well do it anyway."

3. You are the manager. Don't apologize for it. If they think you don't have a pair, they will walk all over you.

4. If you need to discipline someone or talk to them about changing a behavior, do it in private.

5. Be aware of the vibe... if people are stressing... sometimes just saying, "Bob, is there one thing I can take off your plate right now that would make your day a little less stressful?" This means a lot to people.

6. Get rid of a**h**** as quickly as possible. They are a cancer and will destroy morale and drive you nuts. Number one identified of an ahole is disrespectful behavior to fellow employees and especially superiors.

See comment in bold above

I'm not suggesting you do their job for them. I'm saying be involved. Show them you work as hard as you are asking them to work.

 

[AcerFC]

Colin had a pretty good blog post on this iirc. PM him to see if he has it still.

 

[comfortably numb]

Be yourself.

If you try to be something you are not usually it shows in extremes and comes off poorly.

Main thing I have learned is to listen to your workers.

Most of them just want to feel like they are being heard and appreciated and a part of something.

Take time to listen to their thoughts, ideas, suggestions and even venting complaints.

I have always felt you are only as good as your workers.

Let them know that.

When you are praised by your manager, especially in front of your workers, make it a point to exalt your workers at the same time.

Take bullets for your team when needed.

When my employee screws something up I let them know what they did wrong and then I tell them WE have to make it right.
I don't go venting to my manager that so and so effed up a project.

Lastly, don't be a doosh. No one wants to work for a doosh

 

[The Commish]

Don't worry if they start calling you D.A.W.G. I hear it's a term of endearment.

 

[comfortably numb]

1. Get your hands dirty: a lot of first time managers think managing is about putting your feet up on the desk and ordering your underlings around. They will hate you if they think you aren't willing to do what you are asking them to do. Especially at the beginning, be very hands-on. If you can show your team that you're a hard worker they will respect you and it will be much easier to lead them in the future.

Yeah, NO. You are the manager now, Manage. If you wanted to do the work, you should have turned down the management role. Give them the tools, guidance and support to do the job and stay the HELL out of their way if the work gets done on time & on budget.

2. Ask, don't tell people to do things: "Hey Bob, do you want to set up that server..." If he's a smart*** and says "no," say, "well do it anyway."

3. You are the manager. Don't apologize for it. If they think you don't have a pair, they will walk all over you.

4. If you need to discipline someone or talk to them about changing a behavior, do it in private.

5. Be aware of the vibe... if people are stressing... sometimes just saying, "Bob, is there one thing I can take off your plate right now that would make your day a little less stressful?" This means a lot to people.

6. Get rid of a**h**** as quickly as possible. They are a cancer and will destroy morale and drive you nuts. Number one identified of an ahole is disrespectful behavior to fellow employees and especially superiors.

See comment in bold above

I'm not suggesting you do their job for them. I'm saying be involved. Show them you work as hard as you are asking them to work.

Right,

As someone mentioned Colin. I took some tidbits from him.

Basically as a manager....do all the small tedious crap that gets in their way and prevents them from being great.

I was a restaurant a month ago and the service was great.

I saw the owner just walking around doing anything and everything to be accommodating.

Aside from small talk with some customers. He was cleaning a table that just opened up. Getting waters for the people who were just seated. Sees a party with a child being seated he comes over and brings a child seat etc...

He wasn't short staffed. There were plenty of servers but his presence was impressive.

To me, this is leading by example.

Some managers would think it would be beneath them to do such small tasks but being able to do everything you expect your workers to do shows them you get what it takes to do their job and are not just some guy in a suit barking orders.

 

[sbonomo]

Allow them to sleep with your wife.

i just hired a Russian tennis player out of college......

 

[BobbyLayne]

1. Get your hands dirty: a lot of first time managers think managing is about putting your feet up on the desk and ordering your underlings around. They will hate you if they think you aren't willing to do what you are asking them to do. Especially at the beginning, be very hands-on. If you can show your team that you're a hard worker they will respect you and it will be much easier to lead them in the future.

2. Ask, don't tell people to do things: "Hey Bob, do you want to set up that server..." If he's a smart*** and says "no," say, "well do it anyway."

3. You are the manager. Don't apologize for it. If they think you don't have a pair, they will walk all over you.

4. If you need to discipline someone or talk to them about changing a behavior, do it in private.

5. Be aware of the vibe... if people are stressing... sometimes just saying, "Bob, is there one thing I can take off your plate right now that would make your day a little less stressful?" This means a lot to people.

6. Get rid of a**h**** as quickly as possible. They are a cancer and will destroy morale and drive you nuts. Number one identified of an ahole is disrespectful behavior to fellow employees and especially superiors.

It's basically like being a parent.

Yeah, except #6. Can't fire a kid. Actually, you can - my dad fired my brother.

I like this list but the best advice here was up thread about empowerment. Everyone who works for me owns their duties. We have one on ones to discuss end goals, but I don't micro-manage. They're free to manage their own day and if they have suggestions we adopt them.

You cannot delegate responsibility. It's still on you if things go south. But trust your staff. If you can't, then why are they working for you?

Give lots of recognition. It doesn't have to be a company wide blast email or phooey awards. Just a quick note letting them know when they do a job it's appreciated. Don't pass up a chance to hit reply all when you do that. It creates a lot of espirit de corps when you offer up praise in front of co-workers.

I appreciate the sentiment of the line of friendship and colleague, but I never make people feel like they work for me. I work with them. There's never any doubt who has to make the tough calls. Check your ego. Their successes are your successes. We're all in this together.

Be respectful, and expect/demand they be courteous to one another. Recognize that as a manager or equity holder your perspective is different from theirs. Work may mean a lot to you, but they have private lives with responsibilities and passions beyond work.

Also, the occasional free breakfast & happy hour are great team builders. #### scheduling outings or activities outside of office hours; see above.

And zero tolerances for jerks. Get rid of them sooner rather than later.

 

[Macdaddy_2004]

Another point is I don't know any of my team members - I am coming in externally so that will be tough as well.

 

[BobbyLayne]

Oh, and do. Not. Hold. Status. Meetings.

If you're having a meeting where one person is speaking (lying) about where they are at with various projects, the other four are wondering WTF am I sitting here wasting time when I have tons of #### to do. Gant charts are the stupidest thing ever invented.

 

[Foosball God]

Whistle the theme to Sanford and Son while walking around the office.

Clear your throat whenever you enter a room.

Buy a little elephant statue and then during meetings ask why everyone is ignoring the elephant in the room.

 

[sublimeone]

1. Get your hands dirty: a lot of first time managers think managing is about putting your feet up on the desk and ordering your underlings around. They will hate you if they think you aren't willing to do what you are asking them to do. Especially at the beginning, be very hands-on. If you can show your team that you're a hard worker they will respect you and it will be much easier to lead them in the future.

Yeah, NO. You are the manager now, Manage. If you wanted to do the work, you should have turned down the management role. Give them the tools, guidance and support to do the job and stay the HELL out of their way if the work gets done on time & on budget.

2. Ask, don't tell people to do things: "Hey Bob, do you want to set up that server..." If he's a smart*** and says "no," say, "well do it anyway."

3. You are the manager. Don't apologize for it. If they think you don't have a pair, they will walk all over you.

4. If you need to discipline someone or talk to them about changing a behavior, do it in private.

5. Be aware of the vibe... if people are stressing... sometimes just saying, "Bob, is there one thing I can take off your plate right now that would make your day a little less stressful?" This means a lot to people.

6. Get rid of a**h**** as quickly as possible. They are a cancer and will destroy morale and drive you nuts. Number one identified of an ahole is disrespectful behavior to fellow employees and especially superiors.

See comment in bold above

I'm not suggesting you do their job for them. I'm saying be involved. Show them you work as hard as you are asking them to work.

Right,

As someone mentioned Colin. I took some tidbits from him.

Basically as a manager....do all the small tedious crap that gets in their way and prevents them from being great.

I was a restaurant a month ago and the service was great.

I saw the owner just walking around doing anything and everything to be accommodating.

Aside from small talk with some customers. He was cleaning a table that just opened up. Getting waters for the people who were just seated. Sees a party with a child being seated he comes over and brings a child seat etc...

He wasn't short staffed. There were plenty of servers but his presence was impressive.

To me, this is leading by example.

Some managers would think it would be beneath them to do such small tasks but being able to do everything you expect your workers to do shows them you get what it takes to do their job and are not just some guy in a suit barking orders.

Your example reminds me of something I witnessed about 5 or 6 years ago... Portillo's is a famous chain of restaurants in the Chicagoland area. I believe the sole owner of the chain was **** Portillo and he sold the business a year or so ago for over $1 billion. Along with Portillo's he also owned some breakfast restaurants called "Honeyjam Cafe"... there were only a few of them.

One Sunday morning I'm having breakfast at a newly opened Honeyham Cafe and there, directing traffic, wiping down tables, picking up crap off of the ground is **** Portillo. That is something that I will never forget.

 

[Hilts]

Just echoing what's already been said. Never throw them under the bus. Assume mistakes are your fault for not communicating properly. Work as hard as them, if not harder. Be nice. Be flexible. Don't be their friend. Remove any obstacles they need to do their job. You can tell someone to do a task but don't tell them how they have to do it - they're smart enough to figure it out.

 

[Spin]

I'm just gonna add, make sure your employees have a path of progression. So they don't feel like they're stuck in a dead end job. Made a big difference for me when I worked for a guy who genuinely seemed like his goal was to get me promoted, and having more responsibility.

 

[comfortably numb]

1. Get your hands dirty: a lot of first time managers think managing is about putting your feet up on the desk and ordering your underlings around. They will hate you if they think you aren't willing to do what you are asking them to do. Especially at the beginning, be very hands-on. If you can show your team that you're a hard worker they will respect you and it will be much easier to lead them in the future.

Yeah, NO. You are the manager now, Manage. If you wanted to do the work, you should have turned down the management role. Give them the tools, guidance and support to do the job and stay the HELL out of their way if the work gets done on time & on budget.

2. Ask, don't tell people to do things: "Hey Bob, do you want to set up that server..." If he's a smart*** and says "no," say, "well do it anyway."

3. You are the manager. Don't apologize for it. If they think you don't have a pair, they will walk all over you.

4. If you need to discipline someone or talk to them about changing a behavior, do it in private.

5. Be aware of the vibe... if people are stressing... sometimes just saying, "Bob, is there one thing I can take off your plate right now that would make your day a little less stressful?" This means a lot to people.

6. Get rid of a**h**** as quickly as possible. They are a cancer and will destroy morale and drive you nuts. Number one identified of an ahole is disrespectful behavior to fellow employees and especially superiors.

See comment in bold above

I'm not suggesting you do their job for them. I'm saying be involved. Show them you work as hard as you are asking them to work.

Right,

As someone mentioned Colin. I took some tidbits from him.

Basically as a manager....do all the small tedious crap that gets in their way and prevents them from being great.

I was a restaurant a month ago and the service was great.

I saw the owner just walking around doing anything and everything to be accommodating.

Aside from small talk with some customers. He was cleaning a table that just opened up. Getting waters for the people who were just seated. Sees a party with a child being seated he comes over and brings a child seat etc...

He wasn't short staffed. There were plenty of servers but his presence was impressive.

To me, this is leading by example.

Some managers would think it would be beneath them to do such small tasks but being able to do everything you expect your workers to do shows them you get what it takes to do their job and are not just some guy in a suit barking orders.

Your example reminds me of something I witnessed about 5 or 6 years ago... Portillo's is a famous chain of restaurants in the Chicagoland area. I believe the sole owner of the chain was **** Portillo and he sold the business a year or so ago for over $1 billion. Along with Portillo's he also owned some breakfast restaurants called "Honeyjam Cafe"... there were only a few of them.

One Sunday morning I'm having breakfast at a newly opened Honeyham Cafe and there, directing traffic, wiping down tables, picking up crap off of the ground is **** Portillo. That is something that I will never forget.

Awesome

yea,

Really impressed me.

So many managers feel things are now beneath them with their title.

I don't usually get too dirty or hands on but last month my foreman was out with an injury. I was out helping with the forklift, cleaning up, organizing etc...

After a few jokes about me getting dirty and surprise looks that I knew how to operate a forklift after a few days they kept thanking me for helping out.

 

[Koya]

Read "One Minute Manager" - I read it when about to be thrown into managing a $2 Million a year bagel place (thats a lot of ####### bagels!) and still use the advice today.

Everyone has their own style, so let that develop.

But be fair (which doesn't mean nice). Don't be petty, don't be cruel even if unintentional (be aware of when you may have overstepped).

Be stern, but its not only OK to say you ####ed up, my bad, I'm sorry, it will be essential. If you are honest and do your best to provide your team with what they need to be most productive, if you are up front with issues, clear in direction and earnest, even when you #### up (cause you will), it is no longer about you being a good boss.

It's then you being a good leader of a team, and having that team have your back, as much as you have theirs.

 

[Hilts]

I like to ask for occasional feedback from my employees on how I'm doing. I don't necessarily take the advice but I always like hearing what they feel I could be doing to improve their work flow/experience.

 

[Macdaddy_2004]

How do you make everyone on the team feel like they are headed towards a promotion - we all know that you can't promote everyone.

 

[Leroy Hoard]

Make sure that all meetings have free food and adequate air conditioning.

 

[Plorfu]

How do you make everyone on the team feel like they are headed towards a promotion - we all know that you can't promote everyone.

Make sure that's what they really want, first. Not all meaningful job change happens vertically up an org chart.

And focus on any new skills they're developing. I openly talk about adding things to my employees' resumes with them all the time. That way, they know what they're learning is important to their career even if it means they don't just get moved up a spot in the same organization or company.

 

[Abraham]

I've been a successful sales manager (albeit in IT) following these rules:

- clearly communicate expecatations

- give tools and support to reach those expectations

- fairly apply consequences of not meeting expectations

- reward those that do more than expected.

- answer questions honestly.