3 ms·

For these articles, it would be good to consider the other side: Talk a lot, do not listen much - people need to know what's going on. A good boss has to keep

by wisty 15y ago

For these articles, it would be good to consider the other side: Talk a lot, do not listen much - people need to know what's going on. A good boss has to keep everyone informed of the stuff that matters. Be patronizing - you need to ensure all the right checklists are followed (security, stability, etc). Be as cryptic as possible, never direct - don't micromanage. Encourage bureaucracy, and demand visibility into everything - documentation and process is really important. Show them who's boss - you have to make sure everyone is co-operating, and that silos are broken down. These "problems" can be strengths, or necessary evils. It's more a question of when the behavior is a problem, rather than which behavior is always best.

rickmb 15y ago
This. It's never a matter of "what" but "when" and "how".
ricardobeat 15y ago
I'm having trouble seeing "don't listen too much, be patronizing and show who's boss" as something positive.
- wisty 15y ago
  It depends on how you frame it. "Don't listen too much" could be framed as "Keep your team informed". "Be patronizing" could mean "Make sure the little things get done". "Show who's boss" could be "Be a leader", "Be responsible", or "Don't be afraid to delegate".
  - FuzzyDunlop 15y ago
    What you see as re-framing, I'm seeing as distorting, and they work better as separate examples of good management. For example: Ensuring correct procedure is followed doesn't mean you have to be patronising. Keeping your team informed doesn't mean you don't have to listen, or you have to talk too much. Being a leader, responsible, or not afraid to delegate doesn't mean you have to "show who's boss". And I don't say this with any intention to cause offense, nor is it directed at you specifically, but I think if, for each point, you think the inverse is true, then you may have more in common with 'bad manager' than you think.
    - wisty 15y ago
      Yes, my problem is that a lot of these "5 things managers should do" lists describe a particular kind of bad manager (the article seems to be talking about an egotist). If these articles don't give a bit more context, then they are easy to misinterpret.

by wisty 15y ago

rickmb 15y ago

This. It's never a matter of "what" but "when" and "how".

ricardobeat 15y ago

I'm having trouble seeing "don't listen too much, be patronizing and show who's boss" as something positive.

wisty 15y ago
It depends on how you frame it. "Don't listen too much" could be framed as "Keep your team informed". "Be patronizing" could mean "Make sure the little things get done". "Show who's boss" could be "Be a leader", "Be responsible", or "Don't be afraid to delegate".
- FuzzyDunlop 15y ago
  What you see as re-framing, I'm seeing as distorting, and they work better as separate examples of good management. For example: Ensuring correct procedure is followed doesn't mean you have to be patronising. Keeping your team informed doesn't mean you don't have to listen, or you have to talk too much. Being a leader, responsible, or not afraid to delegate doesn't mean you have to "show who's boss". And I don't say this with any intention to cause offense, nor is it directed at you specifically, but I think if, for each point, you think the inverse is true, then you may have more in common with 'bad manager' than you think.
  - wisty 15y ago
    Yes, my problem is that a lot of these "5 things managers should do" lists describe a particular kind of bad manager (the article seems to be talking about an egotist). If these articles don't give a bit more context, then they are easy to misinterpret.