Near the top of the list of boss no-nos sits this one: Don't settle old scores. But if the mounting evidence turns out to be true, someone should have reminded New Jersey Governor Chris Christie--or at least members of his administration--that punishing those who fail to back you isn't appropriate behavior for anyone, especially public officials.
Newly released emails suggest several of Governor Christie's top aides and political associates may have orchestrated havoc on state roads in order to make life difficult for a New Jersey mayor who declined to support Christie during his successful reelection bid. Ouch.
Being the guy in charge means your actions have an impact--and missteps can cost you a job. Avoid these four mistakes that could leave a stain on your resume--then keep your empire running smoothly by following three simple rules.
NEVER . . .
Make promises you can't keep. During the run-up to the passage of the Affordable Care Act, President Barack Obama repeatedly stated that people would be able to keep their current doctor and health insurance plan if they liked them. That turned out to be false when the signup period began (though it was partially addressed later), and the president's approval ratings suffered as a result.
Wine and dine subordinates with company money. Best Buy CEO Brian Dunn stepped down after an audit discovered he'd spent company money on meals, drinks, and event tickets for a 29-year-old female colleague with whom he shared "an extremely close personal relationship."
Cover up a colleague's unethical behavior. In the wake of Dunn's resignation, Best Buy founder Richard Schulze was forced to abandon his chairmanship after an independent investigation found he knew about his friend's inappropriate behavior--but told no one.
Comment on people's appearance. After saying that his company wanted to market only to "cool, good-looking people," Abercrombie & Fitch's CEO Mike Jeffries apologized, but company profits have taken a serious hit.
ALWAYS . . .
Understand that money isn't everything. The motivating effects of a bonus or raise are short-lived. And in many cases, focusing on compensation may actually demotivate people because most believe they're being underpaid, a survey by PsychTests.com found. Depending on their personalities, your employees are more likely to respond to new challenges, strong company values, or a stable work environment, the survey showed. Motivate any kind of worker with this guide.
Know that not all situations call for upbeat enthusiasm. While a happy, cheerful demeanor can improve your people's performance on creative tasks, projecting a serious or somber mien can boost their ability to crunch numbers and complete analytical tasks, according to a recent Dutch study.
Learn from your people. It's common for managers to assume they're the expert in their field, but most oversee at least a few employees with more experience or knowledge than they have themselves, says Ken Tucker, coauthor of The Leadership Triangle. Admit to yourself and your team that you still have a lot to learn, and you'll foster collaboration while maintaining your authority, Tucker adds.
Additional research by Rachael Schultz.
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