THERE IS A HELL! - - - IT IS CALLED RETAIL RETAIL – DEAD END CAREER? | Page 4

RETAIL – DEAD END CAREER?
Retail Managers are supposed to be leaders. How can they maintain credibility if they mean
their wards harm?
I've seen associates forced out of their jobs because of gossip. I've also witness straight-out
hostility because of gossip. Both because of what the manager had said.

Managers should never stoop to inappropriate behaviours.
Suggestive Language

This is the new millennium. Everyone in the civilized world should know by now what
inappropriate behaviour is. So I won't belabour this point much. I will say that managers
should never have such low character as to use suggestive language or other suggestive
communication.
Some managers still do. Stop it.

Martyr

This is one of the most annoying behaviour traits that I see in Retail Managers. It annoyed
me many years ago; it annoys me now. I even annoy myself because I've done it in the past.
Martyring oneself emotionally is to take on a "poor me" attitude. A manager who martyrs his
or herself constantly tells the associates how horrible the job is, how long the hours are, how
low the pay is, and how mean the executives are.
Martyr managers don't stop at business. They have to tell everyone how awful their spouse
is, how bratty the kids are, how the parents are so mad because they have to work another
holiday and can't go to a family function.
Yes, I've done this in mid-career. Retail management can suck. I was told it could suck. I
was told that I would work awful hours and every holiday. But for a half-decade I felt sorry
for myself and wanted others to feel sorry for me.
Now when a manager starts to complain about long hours or bad treatment by executives I
respond, "You should quit."

Being Either an Office or Hands-On Manager

There are two kinds of managers: office and
hands-on. This comes from managers wanting to
stick with what they enjoy and avoid what they
hate. This can come from a lack of confidence in
certain aspects of management.
For managers of small stores, it's important to get
on the floor and get work done. Usually, managers
of drug stores or small mall shops have to roll up
their sleeves and work. Some enjoy this too much
or use it to avoid responsibility.

dodie ste®eo p®odu©tion ™

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