THERE IS A HELL! - - - IT IS CALLED RETAIL SUPERVISORS | Page 13
#3 Don’t Say -“I was here late last night, and on Saturday and
Sunday morning. Where were you?”
Expressing veiled pressure that an employee should be on duty 24/7 is erroneous and a
sure path to dissatisfaction and low morale for workers. Just because a manager works
seven days a week doesn’t mean that faithful employees (usually on a minimum wage
basis) should do the same.
#4 Don’t Say – “You should stay here because we won’t discriminate
against you for being a woman”
This insensitive remark was delivered to a female executive by her boss; an exemplary
woman who had been the recent recipient of a Women in Technology award. She left this
thoughtless supervisor and is now embarking on a new career path after serving as a
regional sales lead and general manager of one of the nation’s largest telecomm firms. A
great boss will never discriminate, and will never make an employee feel vulnerable, directly
or indirectly, as the result of their gender, religious or political affiliation or race. Behaviour
such as this, if not illegal, is boorish.
#5 Don’t Say – “We’ve got to cut costs” (at the same time the
manager is buying a new desk, plush chair etc.)
When times are difficult, employees respect supervisors who are empathetic to the
challenges employees must face. They resent any leader who lives a different standard. In
challenging times, managers should lead by example.
#6 Don’t Say – “I don’t want to listen to your complaints”
As a boss you should actively seek feedback, even negative comments. I suggest a leader
listen with an open mind and fully consider an employee’s issues. Even in the case of a
problem that can’t be helped, allowing an employee to vent for even a minute or two can
go a long way toward building loyalty and high morale.
#7 Don’t Say – “We’ve always done it this way”
This statement is a sure way to squash innovation. A better statement is to ask “What do
you suggest we do to improve?” In all likelihood, employees do know what can and should
be done to enhance any task. Our job as managers is to encourage workers to find
creative solutions to age old problems and to reward them for their clear thinking.
#8 Don’t Say – “You’re doing a terrible job”
Managers need to communicate expectations clearly. They should give employees the
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