As a manager, you’re constantly trying to tweak your communication style so that you’re more effective at interacting with your staff. At least, this should be your goal. And yet, there are truths to the stereotypes about those overbearing, micromanaging bosses.
If any of these management styles hit too close to home, it might be time to rethink your leadership strategy.
- The Power Addict He’s the boss that demands his staff come in on Saturdays. Not because they have to, but because he wants them to. He’s Bill Lumbergh from the movie Office Space: always asking for those useless TPS reports. If you find yourself making your staff jump through hoops for no reason other than to please you, consider how this affects your company. Likely it’s not making anyone any more productive, and it’s probable that your management style is contributing in part to the turnover at your company.Solution: Let go of your ego trip a bit. Before giving what might seem to be an unreasonable request, ask yourself why you want it and reconsider your demand.
- The Shouter You know the one: when he’s displeased, everyone in the office knows, because he shouts about it. He’s just this side of verbally abusive, and more than one employee has made a point to find a hiding place when he’s on his warpath. If you’re a passionate person, there’s nothing wrong with that…unless it makes your staff feel threatened and unsafe.Solution: Work to contain your emotions, especially the negative ones. Before reacting to bad news verbally, take a deep breath and then find a way to constructively respond.
- The Micromanager She calls five seconds after sending an email to make sure you got it. She’s right there, breathing down your neck for that report…that’s due tomorrow. She can’t seem to get out of her own way and let the office staff work the way it’s supposed to. If you you have trouble trusting your staff, ask yourself why. Didn’t you hire people who were competent at their roles?Solution: Let go a little. See how your staff manages when you trust them to do their jobs. They just might surprise you.
- The “Figure-It-Out” Boss Also called the laissez-faire boss, this one is all about encouraging her staff to problem solve. That’s great…except when they need her leadership and it’s not there. There’s a reason bosses exist: to provide guidance and support. If you’re giving neither, your employees will feel adrift, and may not be as productive as you’d like them to be.Solution: Encourage your employees to make their own decisions, but also be there with your own input and support.
No boss is perfect, but if you’re at least aware of your flaws, you can work to improve your management style.
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