How to plan an office battle!
November 1, 2011 3:29 PM Subscribe
I need to hold a knife fight or a pistol duel between two of my employees to decide who has to take on an undesirable schedule.
I manage a Call Center and I have 3 shifts with 2 people on each shift. My shift are 6a-3p; 8a-5p; 9a-6p. The coveted 6-3 is taken and I'm losing one of my 9-6 employees and so my only option is to move one of my 8-5ers to the 9-6. While I'm sure the two of them could figure it out civilly I want to make it more fun for the entire team so I told them on the Agenda, "Jean-Luc and Aladocious will need to decide either via pistol duel or knife fight (nerf of course) who will be taking on the second “coveted” 9-6 shift until we have a replacement.' I need some suggestions on some fun in office (even online) competitions to help determine who gets the choice of schedule. I was thinking a game of Jenga or a random Angry Birds level via Google Chrome. Any other fun things you can think of?
I manage a Call Center and I have 3 shifts with 2 people on each shift. My shift are 6a-3p; 8a-5p; 9a-6p. The coveted 6-3 is taken and I'm losing one of my 9-6 employees and so my only option is to move one of my 8-5ers to the 9-6. While I'm sure the two of them could figure it out civilly I want to make it more fun for the entire team so I told them on the Agenda, "Jean-Luc and Aladocious will need to decide either via pistol duel or knife fight (nerf of course) who will be taking on the second “coveted” 9-6 shift until we have a replacement.' I need some suggestions on some fun in office (even online) competitions to help determine who gets the choice of schedule. I was thinking a game of Jenga or a random Angry Birds level via Google Chrome. Any other fun things you can think of?
It should be a "best two out of three contest" - where each participant chooses one "game", the third game is chosen by yourself.
The last thing I would like (as an employee) is to have my schedule determined by a single fluke game of chance where I have no skill or input.
posted by jkaczor at 3:35 PM on November 1, 2011 [2 favorites]
The last thing I would like (as an employee) is to have my schedule determined by a single fluke game of chance where I have no skill or input.
posted by jkaczor at 3:35 PM on November 1, 2011 [2 favorites]
Of those three shifts I'd take the 9-6, easily. I'm not a morning person and an extra hour or two of sleep would be a godsend. Have you considered just... asking?
posted by Oktober at 3:36 PM on November 1, 2011 [3 favorites]
posted by Oktober at 3:36 PM on November 1, 2011 [3 favorites]
Is this something they're down with doing? I'm pretty unprofessional and laid back when it's OK for me to be, but I'd just rather know what my schedule is, or split the difference with the other guy. I mean, maybe it can just be a joke for show, and you can privately sit down with them and discuss their options? Unless you know neither care too much or have important conflicting things going on, but seriously, even something like an hour shift change for a bit can be really annoying. That being said, cupcake eating contest or fastest to do a crossword.
posted by kpht at 3:37 PM on November 1, 2011
posted by kpht at 3:37 PM on November 1, 2011
.. but, yeah... brainmouse is on the right track... Do they have kids? Outside-of-work volunteer activities? Nightschool? Clubs? Hobbies that conflict? Better of finding out more info and then working together as a team.
posted by jkaczor at 3:38 PM on November 1, 2011 [2 favorites]
posted by jkaczor at 3:38 PM on November 1, 2011 [2 favorites]
It's a one-hour change. Just make a decision and apply it.
posted by Sys Rq at 3:40 PM on November 1, 2011 [3 favorites]
posted by Sys Rq at 3:40 PM on November 1, 2011 [3 favorites]
This is a seriously terrible idea, and a surefire way to establish resentment between the workers, and extreme distrust and contempt for you. Even the other workers won't look at you the same way. If my manager made anyone in the office have a nerf sword fight to change their working hours, I'd seriously consider quitting. Even in this economy. They're not your little green army men.
Just talk to them. Like adults.
If your company was the kind of place where this was the norm (e.g. the fabled internet startups in the late 1990s), then you wouldn't need to ask for suggestions on how to set it up.
posted by barnone at 3:44 PM on November 1, 2011 [9 favorites]
Just talk to them. Like adults.
If your company was the kind of place where this was the norm (e.g. the fabled internet startups in the late 1990s), then you wouldn't need to ask for suggestions on how to set it up.
posted by barnone at 3:44 PM on November 1, 2011 [9 favorites]
It sounds like something from The Office. Please don't.
posted by bonobothegreat at 3:46 PM on November 1, 2011 [19 favorites]
posted by bonobothegreat at 3:46 PM on November 1, 2011 [19 favorites]
Going along with everyone else. This is an absolutely terrible idea. Ask both if either would like the shift. If neither wants it, explain that you will then need to change their schedule.
posted by Razzle Bathbone at 3:47 PM on November 1, 2011
posted by Razzle Bathbone at 3:47 PM on November 1, 2011
If you define "fun" as "something that makes people happier", then talk to each of them to see if someone wants to take it. Independently. Privately. That will make them happier.
If, however, you define "fun" as "a spectacle", then sure, go ahead. And be prepared to deal with their less-than-enthusiastic response, and possibly having to juggle more people to cover more abandoned shifts.
Seriously. "Fun" in morale terms comes from you enabling employees to have their own fun, not turning a simple business decision into a spectacle.
posted by davejay at 3:48 PM on November 1, 2011 [1 favorite]
If, however, you define "fun" as "a spectacle", then sure, go ahead. And be prepared to deal with their less-than-enthusiastic response, and possibly having to juggle more people to cover more abandoned shifts.
Seriously. "Fun" in morale terms comes from you enabling employees to have their own fun, not turning a simple business decision into a spectacle.
posted by davejay at 3:48 PM on November 1, 2011 [1 favorite]
Why not do both? I would propose deciding the issue by talking to them privately, and then (just for fun and completely separate from any work shift issues) have some rounds of Jenga for anyone who wants to join.
(I would really get a kick out of playing Jenga in the workplace!)
posted by danceswithlight at 3:52 PM on November 1, 2011
(I would really get a kick out of playing Jenga in the workplace!)
posted by danceswithlight at 3:52 PM on November 1, 2011
I would be pissed if my work schedule came down to a game of Jenga.
posted by desjardins at 3:54 PM on November 1, 2011
posted by desjardins at 3:54 PM on November 1, 2011
Response by poster: Wow not the response I expected from meta but I guess I should have been more clear that the two people involved laughed out loud when they saw the meeting agenda. It's a start-up environment and we like to have fun with what we do. They both know whoever takes the schedule will only be doing it on a temporary basis. Sure I could have just assigned it to one of them but I was thinking making it more of an event for out monthly meeting. The "event" is more of a spectacle but the decision in the end will be made between the two of them.
posted by ThomasBrobber at 3:55 PM on November 1, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by ThomasBrobber at 3:55 PM on November 1, 2011 [1 favorite]
Yes, once you announced to everyone, thus making it clear that not participating would make them a spoil-sport, they laughed out loud around you and other people, so as to not seem lame. Maybe they are really excited. Maybe they're playing along. Maybe other employees don't look so favorably on this and have lost some respect for you. Are you 100% sure you know which?
Do they know that you don't really mean it? I mean, explicitly, have you said "the decision is really between the two of you, and the game is just a joke and the outcome of the game will, in reality, have no bearing on which of you takes this shift", or are you assuming they know? It sounds like you're making some pretty big assumptions that everyone's sense of humor is just like yours, at the expense of anything resembling respecting your employees' daily lives. Again, please rethink this.
posted by brainmouse at 4:00 PM on November 1, 2011 [25 favorites]
Do they know that you don't really mean it? I mean, explicitly, have you said "the decision is really between the two of you, and the game is just a joke and the outcome of the game will, in reality, have no bearing on which of you takes this shift", or are you assuming they know? It sounds like you're making some pretty big assumptions that everyone's sense of humor is just like yours, at the expense of anything resembling respecting your employees' daily lives. Again, please rethink this.
posted by brainmouse at 4:00 PM on November 1, 2011 [25 favorites]
brainmouse has it right again. Say you were joking to your workers and drop this nonsense.
posted by murrey at 4:02 PM on November 1, 2011 [3 favorites]
posted by murrey at 4:02 PM on November 1, 2011 [3 favorites]
Nthing brainmouse. If it really is temporary, and neither explicitly wants the other shift, it seems like such a win-win to ask them to work together to come up with what THEY think is an equitable way to split the two shifts. There are plenty of other ways to engineer "fun" into the workplace that are much more innocuous.
posted by argonauta at 4:12 PM on November 1, 2011
posted by argonauta at 4:12 PM on November 1, 2011
The "event" is more of a spectacle but the decision in the end will be made between the two of them.
Then I like your idea of a nerf pistol duel.
posted by patheral at 4:15 PM on November 1, 2011
Then I like your idea of a nerf pistol duel.
posted by patheral at 4:15 PM on November 1, 2011
Response by poster: Well I've been working with my team for over a year now so I know them pretty well. They laughed after an Email Agenda went out for a meeting scheduled on Thursday. We have an open and honest working relationship and they know if I do something that they don't like they can call me on it and as their manager I will do the same.
Yes, they know that there won't be a nerf knife fight or nerf duel (Californa labor laws would frown on that). They don't even know I was trying to come up with a game but only the, "Jean-Luc and Aladocious will need to decide either via pistol duel or knife fight (nerf of course) who will be taking on the second “coveted” 9-6 shift until we have a replacement," statement I made . *Shrugs* it seems to me you are taking it quite personally and assuming I don't know the people I've been working with.
That being said, in the end they will make the decision between themselves. In rereading my OP I guess I should have stated that "this game or event will not actually make the decision!" My apologies. :)
posted by ThomasBrobber at 4:17 PM on November 1, 2011
Yes, they know that there won't be a nerf knife fight or nerf duel (Californa labor laws would frown on that). They don't even know I was trying to come up with a game but only the, "Jean-Luc and Aladocious will need to decide either via pistol duel or knife fight (nerf of course) who will be taking on the second “coveted” 9-6 shift until we have a replacement," statement I made . *Shrugs* it seems to me you are taking it quite personally and assuming I don't know the people I've been working with.
That being said, in the end they will make the decision between themselves. In rereading my OP I guess I should have stated that "this game or event will not actually make the decision!" My apologies. :)
posted by ThomasBrobber at 4:17 PM on November 1, 2011
paper rock scissors? have the other team members write trivia questions, maybe ones with sort of random answers (How many square miles in the great lakes; how many seats does carnigie hall hold)? price is right type games? hangman?
posted by dpx.mfx at 4:20 PM on November 1, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by dpx.mfx at 4:20 PM on November 1, 2011 [1 favorite]
What are you going to say to your workers comp carrier when one of them gets injured during this nerf knife fight? If you must do this, making it a physical contest may open you to some legal liability you haven't considered.
posted by mollymayhem at 4:21 PM on November 1, 2011
posted by mollymayhem at 4:21 PM on November 1, 2011
Meet with each of them privately and make the decision based on needs (kid schedules, doctor appointments, or, all things being equal, performance, but don't publicize your reasoning) and then announce to the department that an office-wide competition at whatever will determine what YOU buy them all for breakfast or whatever, for being awesome employees. Winner decides bagels vs. doughnuts, pizza vs. cupcakes.
posted by Morrigan at 4:23 PM on November 1, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by Morrigan at 4:23 PM on November 1, 2011 [1 favorite]
I say this as someone whose bosses have NO IDEA I hate the general office culture. I've been working here for 3 years. They would say they know me really well. They are wrong. I smile, I laugh, I go to their stupid events, I go home and complain to my friends about it. I like the work, but I hate the "fun" stuff my office does. I have no qualms about calling my boss on work-related stuff, but the culture stuff? It's not good to be the odd one out when it comes to personality, and I know it, so I act the part, and they have no idea. This is not unusual. Things like this, that it's very, very easy for someone to hate and feel not respected by, should be done only very, very carefully.
posted by brainmouse at 4:24 PM on November 1, 2011 [45 favorites]
posted by brainmouse at 4:24 PM on November 1, 2011 [45 favorites]
I cannot favorite brainmouse's comment enough. Faking it is a real skill many workers have been forced to perfect while working for "fun" bosses.
posted by Kronur at 4:26 PM on November 1, 2011 [8 favorites]
posted by Kronur at 4:26 PM on November 1, 2011 [8 favorites]
I want to buck the trend and say that this sort of thing could be okay, given the right team and environment.
But honestly, while I can think of situations where that sort of a resolution would have been alright, I can't think of a single situation in which it would be preferable to just sitting down with the two people and collaboratively sorting it out.
Ideally, someone will want the shift, possibly permanently. Great! Give it to them and carry on finding a new hire.
If that doesn't work out, and one person has a hard constraint that precludes them from taking it, then the other person gets it. Tough, but so long as it's temporary, it shouldn't be too bad.
If neither person wants it, but both are equally able to take it, then suggest splitting the difference. Say, for instance, each person manning the 9-6 shift every other week. I say "suggest" because, for some folks, having their schedule change every other week could be more annoying than just taking a less preferable shift on a more consistent basis.
If splitting the difference works out, and neither person has a strong preference for which week they start on, then I'm inclined to believe that resorting to a game of chance is likely to be alright. Provided you have the right culture. Because, honestly, it's down to drawing straws at that point, and neither person really get a worse outcome than the other.
posted by SemiSophos at 4:32 PM on November 1, 2011
But honestly, while I can think of situations where that sort of a resolution would have been alright, I can't think of a single situation in which it would be preferable to just sitting down with the two people and collaboratively sorting it out.
Ideally, someone will want the shift, possibly permanently. Great! Give it to them and carry on finding a new hire.
If that doesn't work out, and one person has a hard constraint that precludes them from taking it, then the other person gets it. Tough, but so long as it's temporary, it shouldn't be too bad.
If neither person wants it, but both are equally able to take it, then suggest splitting the difference. Say, for instance, each person manning the 9-6 shift every other week. I say "suggest" because, for some folks, having their schedule change every other week could be more annoying than just taking a less preferable shift on a more consistent basis.
If splitting the difference works out, and neither person has a strong preference for which week they start on, then I'm inclined to believe that resorting to a game of chance is likely to be alright. Provided you have the right culture. Because, honestly, it's down to drawing straws at that point, and neither person really get a worse outcome than the other.
posted by SemiSophos at 4:32 PM on November 1, 2011
Mod note: Folks, "please consider the possible context stuff" is fine as such but seems like pretty thoroughly covered ground at this point and the asker's acknowledged the feedback. Maybe keep it to constructive ideas for what could work as an activity going forward, otherwise give it a pass.
posted by cortex (staff) at 4:32 PM on November 1, 2011 [2 favorites]
posted by cortex (staff) at 4:32 PM on November 1, 2011 [2 favorites]
Having worked in start-ups and call center environments full of "fun" bosses, and actually having experience myself now as a supervisor trying to make work ok for y'know, real people with lives, I feel quite confident in telling you that you are nowhere near as "fun" as you think you are, and this is way inappropriate.
posted by crabintheocean at 4:34 PM on November 1, 2011
posted by crabintheocean at 4:34 PM on November 1, 2011
Also, could you survive with just one person on in that last hour, or could you, yourself, handle the extra hour? If not, can you at least find a way to offer incentives to the person that takes that shift? Perhaps a short term bonus, or the flexibility to work from home towards the end of the shift?
posted by SemiSophos at 4:40 PM on November 1, 2011
posted by SemiSophos at 4:40 PM on November 1, 2011
I think the line in your email is pretty funny. If I read that, I would laugh. "I got your email. It's a dual!" I might even reply to you, chuckling.
But not for a second would I think that we are actually going to solve the scheduling problem in this way. Because what you sent was a joke. And also, we're adults and this is a job. A fun job, sure, but it's still a job.
Also, if I were your employee, I would be inclined to think you're joking about the dual because if it is as you say it is, just for yucks and not actually meant to decide anything, then it would be a phenomenal waste of time.
As I said, that agenda line sounds like a funny way of phrasing a boring conversation. But it doesn't sound to me like I would actually have to do a thumb war/have a balloon fight/hold my breath the longest. If it were me, I would be surprised and annoyed.
However, if you are really set on making it fun, I would keep it short and simple, as to avoid prolonging potential embarrassment. Two out of three thumb war, blinking contest, or some other short contest.
posted by too bad you're not me at 4:49 PM on November 1, 2011 [2 favorites]
But not for a second would I think that we are actually going to solve the scheduling problem in this way. Because what you sent was a joke. And also, we're adults and this is a job. A fun job, sure, but it's still a job.
Also, if I were your employee, I would be inclined to think you're joking about the dual because if it is as you say it is, just for yucks and not actually meant to decide anything, then it would be a phenomenal waste of time.
As I said, that agenda line sounds like a funny way of phrasing a boring conversation. But it doesn't sound to me like I would actually have to do a thumb war/have a balloon fight/hold my breath the longest. If it were me, I would be surprised and annoyed.
However, if you are really set on making it fun, I would keep it short and simple, as to avoid prolonging potential embarrassment. Two out of three thumb war, blinking contest, or some other short contest.
posted by too bad you're not me at 4:49 PM on November 1, 2011 [2 favorites]
Hold a roast for yourself, with both Jean-Luc and Aladocious serving as roasters (and anybody else who wants to participate). Have the rest of the staff vote on whose material is funnier.
posted by box at 5:06 PM on November 1, 2011
posted by box at 5:06 PM on November 1, 2011
OP: Hi. I'm also managing a startup. So, this is your first time in the manager's seat, isn't it? Because you're getting pretty defensive about your (terrible, terrible) idea.
Listen to what people are telling you here. This is a bad, deeply unprofessional idea that will (not might. Will.) damage your personal credibility, office culture and possibly career, maybe irreparably.
Don't do this to yourself, or your people.
posted by mhoye at 5:55 PM on November 1, 2011 [4 favorites]
Listen to what people are telling you here. This is a bad, deeply unprofessional idea that will (not might. Will.) damage your personal credibility, office culture and possibly career, maybe irreparably.
Don't do this to yourself, or your people.
posted by mhoye at 5:55 PM on November 1, 2011 [4 favorites]
I don't care how well you know them, this is seriously straight out of the Dilbert school of management. You made your joke, you got your laugh, everyone feels cool with each other -- now move on, and don't press your luck.
posted by hermitosis at 6:03 PM on November 1, 2011 [3 favorites]
posted by hermitosis at 6:03 PM on November 1, 2011 [3 favorites]
Wow. Such a harsh response. I think this could be okay in the right environment, but you better damn well be right about your employees. I think the physical combat aspect is really touchy but I have seen worse things done in really good, humane office environments. I think you're making a way too big deal out of a one hour difference and maybe a coin toss is the way to resolve it. Making a big spectacle over a not-so-big schedule change seems somewhat try-hard (like you really think you're a hip boss) when the employees involved may prefer something lower key.
But I don't think it's so terrible to deserve the unanimous thrashing your idea is getting from some people in this thread.
posted by jayder at 6:16 PM on November 1, 2011
But I don't think it's so terrible to deserve the unanimous thrashing your idea is getting from some people in this thread.
posted by jayder at 6:16 PM on November 1, 2011
If you're really going to let them work it out themselves privately, then all you need at the meeting are props. Bring a couple of Nerf guns, or squirt guns, or big collapsible plastic knives. Display them prominently. That alone should get the laugh. Possibly at the end of the meeting, they will pick them up and horse around, but I wouldn't try to stage it during the meeting. If they're as goofy as you think they are, they'll go for it themselves, no? It's also funnier that way. You trying to make it happening risks being awkward.
posted by looli at 7:23 PM on November 1, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by looli at 7:23 PM on November 1, 2011 [1 favorite]
Staring contest. Or hula hoop contest - best 2 out of 3. Or who can blow the biggest bubble gum bubble. Or have them blow up balloons, and whichever one pops first is the winner.
posted by MexicanYenta at 7:38 PM on November 1, 2011
posted by MexicanYenta at 7:38 PM on November 1, 2011
I could see a situation in which if, given unforeseen circumstances, one of them complained to your boss (if you have one) or to a regulation board (which I'm sure you do) about questionable work practices. Maybe there are laws governing whether or not you're allowed to force your employees to fight for fair scheduling. If anything, it would make you look very unprofessional. Conflicts between two people in a work setting should only concern those two people and really should not be the business of the entire office.
posted by shesaysgo at 8:57 PM on November 1, 2011
posted by shesaysgo at 8:57 PM on November 1, 2011
Response by poster: Thanks for all the constructive feedback. To answer a few of the questions I've been managing successfully for over 10 years now. I will take it all into consideration. As you all know team meetings are often boring and this was my way of trying to break up the "great job last month, here is the plans for the coming month as we adjust to increasing goals and a temporary reduction in staffing. The two guys involved have seen schedule changes adjust twice in the last 10 months and have always been open and receptive to change.
Consensus is the idea is bad and I'm okay with that. I ask for suggestions and most gave me a "don't do it" response. I think where I may have appeared defensive is not in regards to the suggestions against but in that I didn't know my team as well as I feel I do. I guess when I spend almost as much time with a small team like this as I do with my own family that working and personal relationship means more that I realized. If I came across as defensive I apologize. Thanks again for the feedback. This many people can't be (or aren't usually) wrong. :)
posted by ThomasBrobber at 11:59 PM on November 1, 2011
Consensus is the idea is bad and I'm okay with that. I ask for suggestions and most gave me a "don't do it" response. I think where I may have appeared defensive is not in regards to the suggestions against but in that I didn't know my team as well as I feel I do. I guess when I spend almost as much time with a small team like this as I do with my own family that working and personal relationship means more that I realized. If I came across as defensive I apologize. Thanks again for the feedback. This many people can't be (or aren't usually) wrong. :)
posted by ThomasBrobber at 11:59 PM on November 1, 2011
I would have more than one event, like an Office Decathlon. One of the events should be Paper-Rock-Scissors, best of 7.
posted by XhaustedProphet at 12:39 AM on November 2, 2011
posted by XhaustedProphet at 12:39 AM on November 2, 2011
Good managers listen to people, and take their advice to heart.
Bad managers say they want advice, but then just go ahead with whatever they were going to do anyway.
But if you're so gung-ho for this spectacle (oh my god, I'd be laughing because I need the job but I would hate you so bad if you made me do this thing) to happen, have them each fight YOU and not each other. That way you're not asking them to do something 'to entertain the team' that you would not do yourself.
posted by Windigo at 4:35 AM on November 2, 2011
Bad managers say they want advice, but then just go ahead with whatever they were going to do anyway.
But if you're so gung-ho for this spectacle (oh my god, I'd be laughing because I need the job but I would hate you so bad if you made me do this thing) to happen, have them each fight YOU and not each other. That way you're not asking them to do something 'to entertain the team' that you would not do yourself.
posted by Windigo at 4:35 AM on November 2, 2011
The spectacle only works if the game is rigged. If the two have hashed it out who is willing to take the less desirable shift, then the one taking it should "fall on their sword" and make the noble sacrifice for the good of the company. You turn the spectacle away from "I am your boss and I make you fight for our amusement" and towards "Big thanks to Aladocious who is taking a hit for the team until we can hire a new staff member." You then break out the donuts or cake or whatever.
posted by robocop is bleeding at 5:43 AM on November 2, 2011 [5 favorites]
posted by robocop is bleeding at 5:43 AM on November 2, 2011 [5 favorites]
I thought this was an awesome idea UNTIL I found out that there were real consequences. As a voluntary activity, like a golf tournament, it would be fun. But just reading about a paintball work activity, made me really nervous. There really is no way out for these people, if the want the shift, they would have to pretend to be ok with it.
posted by Gor-ella at 2:34 PM on November 2, 2011
posted by Gor-ella at 2:34 PM on November 2, 2011
Back in the bad old days when I was an employee, I would have gone along with your suggestion/idea. I would have even pretended to love it.
In reality, I would have hated you, and hated the company, and planned to get out as soon as possible. My "work personality" was very deliberately cultivated to make me money. You, no matter how successful you have been as a manager, would not have known me. Absolutely no way. I am certain I am not alone.
Here are clues. Do *all* your employees invite you to parties and events in their lives? Not just the big ones, but the little ones. Do they tell you the truth, which is that they dream of a payoff so big that they can stop working for you? Do they tell you how they plan to do it? OK, so those last two are just me, so how about something less revealing. Do they tell you about their struggles, hopes and dreams? Can they call you at night about stuff that isn't about the job?
If not, you don't really know them, you just know what they choose to present to you. In my entire working life, I've had exactly one manager to whom I actually revealed myself. Even then, it was certainly less than 50% of myself. My lamest, youngest, most foolish friend knows more about me than any manager I've ever had.
Yes, some people are simpletons, and are exactly what they seem to be. I think that's true, although despite being a manager for years, and in the workforce for decades, I've *never met one*.
Think about it.
posted by Invoke at 11:23 PM on November 3, 2011
In reality, I would have hated you, and hated the company, and planned to get out as soon as possible. My "work personality" was very deliberately cultivated to make me money. You, no matter how successful you have been as a manager, would not have known me. Absolutely no way. I am certain I am not alone.
Here are clues. Do *all* your employees invite you to parties and events in their lives? Not just the big ones, but the little ones. Do they tell you the truth, which is that they dream of a payoff so big that they can stop working for you? Do they tell you how they plan to do it? OK, so those last two are just me, so how about something less revealing. Do they tell you about their struggles, hopes and dreams? Can they call you at night about stuff that isn't about the job?
If not, you don't really know them, you just know what they choose to present to you. In my entire working life, I've had exactly one manager to whom I actually revealed myself. Even then, it was certainly less than 50% of myself. My lamest, youngest, most foolish friend knows more about me than any manager I've ever had.
Yes, some people are simpletons, and are exactly what they seem to be. I think that's true, although despite being a manager for years, and in the workforce for decades, I've *never met one*.
Think about it.
posted by Invoke at 11:23 PM on November 3, 2011
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by brainmouse at 3:34 PM on November 1, 2011 [68 favorites]