Analytics

Friday, January 18, 2008

Are You A Good Boss? Or A Bad Boss?


As the new year begins, there are a number of articles discussing whether a person is a good or bad boss.

My experience in working for managers, being a manager, and working with managers is that the bad ones don't know they're bad!

The National Federation of Independent Business came out with a self-evaluation for bosses a few years ago, and it's time to review their (very good) questions:

1. Have you ever berated an employee in public?

2. Have you ever taken credit for something an employee did?

3. Are your employees afraid of you?

4. Are you a "no excuses allowed" type?

5. Do you expect employees to "know" or to "do" without telling them?

6. Do you yell or shout at employees?

7. Have you ever tried to belittle or humiliate an employee as punishment?

8. Do you "lean on" or make it more difficult for someone who has displeased you?

9. Do you play favorites?

10. Do you constantly check everyone's work for quality?

11. Are you reluctant to let employees make decisions?

12. Do you expect employees to do what you ask without question?

Answer the questions honestly - and if you said 'yes' to any one - it's time for you to re-evaluate your management style.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

My mom needs to tell her boss that "abuse is not the way to run an organization"...but unfortunately she is afraid of losing her job so she just remains a "Doormat". How do your employees feel about you? Are a good boss or bad boss? Ck out dailycents.com at http://blogs.dailycents.com/?p=824

Eric W. Swenson said...

I'd suggest that your mom make a decision about how much she wants this job. Going through life in a miserable job is not a very appealing thing. I would think she can find a similar job and pay at a business where the owner will not treat her as a 'doormat'.

As far as my employees liking/disliking me - that is a great question, and you've given me a great idea for a (near) future post!

Eric