So I was think/bitching to myself about the fuckin idiot Manager/Supervisors we work for out in the workforce. My Bitch is basically this:
As a Manager/Supervisor/Leader we cannot be successful in any endeavor that we undertake without the people who work for us. It is the success of the collective team that contributes to the success of a manager. The problem here is, in my experience, 90% of these managers (I will use Manager(s) as the title of the collective group to mean supervisors/leaders and managers from here on out) are not aware of this fact. It is the work of those whom they supervise who make them successful. Most of them are too busy worrying about making a name for themselves or getting their asses chewed for not meeting some deadline to understand this basic concept.
When I was an NCO in the Infantry several years ago one of the most important intangible principles of leadership is "The Led" meaning those whom you are in charge of. You must take care of them first. When you have subordinates (I hate to use that term) you must take care of them. This does not mean always giving them their way, but it means knowing them, their strengths and weaknesses, their likes and dislikes. By knowing these things about them, you then know how to best communicate with them and motivate them.
It should also be noted that a subordinate will go to further lengths and work harder for someone whom they feel has their best interests at heart. Of course the opposite edge of that knife is true also. If we as the work force feel that all you, as a manager have only your interests or your superiors interests in mind and at heart, we are less willing to go that extra mile for you. It truly is a symbiotic relationship. If you don't care about anything but yourself and your own ass, then I don't care if that ass gets chewed. Of course they like to remind us that "Shit rolls downhill". Which is a somewhat valid point. The reason it is only somewhat valid is this. If I am making $8.50 an hour, I have an easier time quitting and finding a new job of the same or near the same wage. You as a manager on the other hand, have invested more time and energy to make it to where you are than I have. So simply up and going to seek your fortunes elsewhere is not necessarily an option in your mind. (I personally have been on both sides of this argument, so trust me I know a bit about it)
I guess the point I'm trying to make is this, if you take care of your people as a manager, they will in turn take care of you. You need them to do the job and you need to be able to rely on them to get the work that needs done, done. If you don't take care of your workforce, they will not give a shit about your needs and deadlines. Excuses will be made and the most minimal effort to get the job done will be given, because they know that you don't care about them, so they in turn don't give a shit about what needs done. If you don't believe me, take a walk through your local Department store (i.e. Walmart, Target, or even Kroeger). Look at who is working hard when there are no managers around and look at who truly cares about their job.
It goes without saying that some people have a strong work ethic regardless and will take pride in their work. But those same people will find other ways to circumvent the system, they'll read and understand the policies and how they apply to them. Intentionally using those same policies to stick it to their managers when ever and where ever possible.
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