Jul 28, 2014
SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-155-management-magicians-series-how-to-effectively-avoid-the-mean-manager-syndrome.html
SHOW NOTES: Our MANAGEMENT MAGICIANS™ series is dedicated to those exceptional few who step forward to serve as guides, sages and responsible parties for others in pursuit of the greater good for society and their organization! These are managers who redefine their job titles to ensure their own personal contentment as they motivate, monitor and mentor their team members each day. The “magic” that a talented manager is able to create changes their lives, the lives of their team members and ripples throughout the larger society. We salute their sacrifices and share their techniques and “secrets” to achieving sustained positive experiences for themselves, clients, customers, peers, team members, and the public at large! In this episode, our topic is, "How to effectively avoid the ‘Mean Manager Syndrome’!”
Remember, most people do not want to be managers (aka “the boss”)! “According to a new Pew survey, 43% of respondents say they wouldn’t want to be a boss or top manager manager someday.” (http://business.time.com/2014/01/13/5-reasons-you-definitely-dont-want-to-be-the-boss/) Many of the reasons relate to the “extra” tasks, responsibility, stress, etc. It is therefore reasonable and strongly recommended that you conduct an honest self-assessment to determine if you really want to accept a new opportunity (or continue to accept an existing one) to serve in a management position. Do not equate being a manager with automatically being a mean person. Yes, there are some managers that also happen to be mean. There are also some managers that happen to be six feet tall. There is no correlation between being a manager and being mean or tall. The “Mean Manager Syndrome” often is a result of a person who never should have accepted (or continue to accept) a management position as it overloads them (in terms of time, stress, skills, emotional outlay, etc.). You will not experience the syndrome if you:
1) Do not accept a position as a manager if it is “too much” (of anything).
2) If you do accept a position as a manager (or continue to accept one), understand that your goal is for your team to view you as “tough but fair.” When this is achieved you will not be viewed as mean but as someone who cares (about the organization, getting the work done the right way, yourself, and them).
Here are your tools to reach this goal of being “tough but fair”:
- Care about yourself (physically, emotionally, etc.). When you are kind to yourself, you are kind to others.
- Smile (or show humor in a manner that fits your personality and demeanor)
- Demonstrate that you care about the organization and the team (with actions not simply words)
- Hold yourself accountable…and everyone else to the same rules (no favorites or special treatment).
- Consistency, Confidentiality and Compliance are your code of conduct.
CAUTION: If a manager is not fair, they FAIL as a manager.
FAIR = EQUAL TREATMENT UNDER THE RULES
Not Fair = Mean Manager Syndrome
You chose (or will choose) to be part of the minority of people who step up to lead. It can be exhilarating and enriching to serve as a manager at the right time, in the right organization for the right person. It is your responsibility to continue to be vigilant and monitor whether you are that person for the organization at this time!
No individuals with Mean Manager Syndrome are Management Magicians (and you know that you want to be a Management Magician)!
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