ComputerHunter.org

 

6 Simple Steps to Dealing with Difficult Managers


The challenge of managing difficult managers can be rather daunting, especially when you inherit them! If they are your own born and bred, then hopefully they would have evolved into great managers!

Experience shows that difficult managers are difficult because they are angry and frustrated about something or somebody (even themselves - especially where they are, or have become, a square peg in a round hole of a job), so the steps to take are these:-

  • Always a first is to build great relationships with your people. This involves protected one-to-one time, where they feel valued. Get to know them. 'Getting to know the name of their dog' has a good feel to it! Get them talking about anything and everything that is important to them - this deflects the 'difficult' bit and creates a common place for you to communicate. It also builds all those things like trust and valued-ness etc.

  • Get really clear on standards for all of your managers and get them involved in the process. Itinerant trouble-makers usually fall in if the majority do. Do the same with personal objectives based on their best skillset, not their worst. It's easier to get success from things folks are good at then waste energy on things that are very tough for them (in fact, frankly, they are in the wrong job).

  • Ensure that everyone complies with these standards consistently and fairly and be flexible if they don't work. It's OK to be a bit tolerant, though only in the 'how' things are delivered as long as the outcome (the 'what') really happens.

  • If these measures don't work, it's time to get emotional (no. not tears!). The phrase, 'I need your help...' is a great way to go - as is 'I wanted to tell you how I felt after...'. Both are EQ dialogue, aimed to find out what's wrong and how you can help. If the push back is to 'stop hassling them', then the groundwork you did with the standards proves it's worth.

  • After the discussion above, is the 'escalation'. Most people actually want to feel that they are doing a good job - and if they can't, it's time to get a life and move on. This tough discussion will be a lot easier if you've followed the previous steps and it will also mean that you are more protected against criticism. So now is the time to get tough with whatever formal procedures your organisation has. In different countries this will vary, but it requires tenacity and consistency on your part. But, what usually happens, is that folks realise you are serious and move on themselves.

  • If they are resilient, go down your formal disciplinary route carefully, but do it! There is a moment when you can say, 'This isn't going to get any easier, how can I help you resolve this...?' Be firm. clear, fair, resilient, tenacious and ultimately realise that their behaviours are where they are going wrong, not them as people. Truthfully, you are doing them a big favour - one which others may well have not been prepared to take on - and that did these people a disservice.

    Goodness knows what some folks have experienced in their lives before they got to us - some are redeemable, some are not - sadly, that's life and we can't be responsible for anyone else, after all it's tough enough being responsible for ourselves. And difficult managers are ultimately no different than anyone else - so this can be used elsewhere.

    This is do-able and you will benefit from the experience (though some days you might curse a bit!). You deserve the peace of being able to work constructively with all of your people, whoever they are.

    Martin Haworth is a Business and Management Coach. He works worldwide, mainly by phone, with small business owners, managers and corporate leaders. He has hundreds of hints, tips and ideas at his website, http://www.coaching-businesses-to-success.com/dealing_with_difficult_people.html. (Note to editors. Feel free to use this article, wherever you think it might be of value - it would be good if you could include a live link)

    ...helping you, to help your people, to help your business grow...







    Google News - Top Stories

    Telegraph.co.uk

    What rescue means for mortgage rates
    CNNMoney.com - 22 minutes ago
    Bailout of mortgage giants should result in lower mortgage costs and make credit more available. But lending standards will stay tight and risky borrowers will still pay extra fees.
    Video: Feds Take Over Mortgage Giants AssociatedPress
    Treasury to buy $5 bln in Fannie, Freddie MBS Reuters
    New York Times - The Associated Press - MarketWatch - Los Angeles Times
    all 3,510 news articles


    Canada.com

    Ike Set to Hammer Cuba, on Path for Gulf of Mexico (Update2)
    Bloomberg - 23 minutes ago
    By Demian McLean Sept. 7 (Bloomberg) -- Ike, an ``extremely dangerous'' hurricane, pounded the Bahamas today and charted a course toward Cuba and the Gulf of Mexico, bringing the region its second major storm in as many weeks.
    Video: Raw Video: Ike Pounds Turks and Caicos AssociatedPress
    Powerful Hurricane Ike heads for Cuba, Gulf Forbes
    Los Angeles Times - AFP - FOXNews - KFMB
    all 3,793 news articles


    ABC News

    Candidates claim to be agents of change
    CNN - 3 hours ago
    (CNN) -- As Sens. Barack Obama and John McCain enter the homestretch of campaigning, each is trying to make the case that his ticket is the only one that will bring about change.
    Only I can bring change to Washington, John McCain and Barack ... Los Angeles Times
    google news commentComment by John S. Baick Professor of History, Western New England College
    Newsday - CBS News - Chicago Tribune - Washington Post
    all 5,561 news articles


    Boston Globe

    India a step closer to nuclear trade
    Christian Science Monitor - 2 hours ago
    The Nuclear Suppliers Group agreed Saturday to lift a 34-year ban on selling nuclear technology to India, even though it hasn't signed the Non-Proliferation Treaty.
    McCain twits Obama over nuke deal Times of India
    US Congress seen passing India nuke deal eventually Reuters South Africa
    Washington Post - New York Times - Economic Times - BBC News
    all 2,223 news articles


    The Age

    Suicide blast kills 35 in Pakistan; Zardari set to take power
    International Herald Tribune - 6 hours ago
    AP, The New York Times PESHAWAR, Pakistan: The death toll in a devastating suicide blast has reached 35, officials said Sunday, as Pakistan prepared for Benazir Bhutto's widower to take over as president.
    Pakistan's Zardari prepares for presidency AFP
    Pakistan's Zardari urged to change image and focus Reuters
    Xinhua - Los Angeles Times - New York Times - BBC News
    all 3,953 news articles

  • Google
     

    Copyright © 2006 Computer Hunter - A Division of Arthur´s Job Base