Management Methods

So basically I'm going to ask for advice but at the same time ask you what type of management style you prefer, or even have to deal with at your job - especially if you work in retail.

I have a management job and I'm still adjusting to it at a Pizza place. It's frustrating because there's only 3 females that work there including me. My higher up manager is female, my other shift manager is female, and then there's me. The rest of the crew are male - and I find that a little odd, but then again, not too many females apply for driver/cook positions at a pizza place.

So, we have my higher up manager - she's a stern black mom. When I include her race, I don't do it for a racist fact, but there's just this stern status from her that only black women can pull off. Hopefully people will understand what I mean by that. What she says could be really rude, but because of how she says it and the sternness from her - it's accepted.

My coworker is a barking dog. Always screaming, cussing, and bossing around.

Both of these management styles seem to get shit done. Granted, not always - my coworker had someone walk out on her tonight.

I'm told I'm "too nice" or my temper is unexpected because I can go from calm to loud in a moment's notice. This temper thing would be a cook testing my patience by pestering me to leave over and over again and when I get fed up I end up scolding. What I don't understand is why that's so much harsher than my coworker yelling all the time and more offensive.

I ask someone to do something nicely, I don't expect much except for the work to be done, but I found that the guys like to take advantage of me by waiting until I'm busy with my work and flustered from the amount of things at my face before mentioning leaving and that their stuff is done.

I don't want to change the way I am ;| but I don't understand why the barking dog is able to keep order better.

I hate managers who boss people around, I hate micro managing managers, I hate managers who stand around and do nothing even when it's something as simple as answering a phone while you're busy. They're standing right there but act as if they don't hear it. As if they're waiting to see if you can split into two people and do both at once.

;|

Just, when I do what I'd expect from a manager I feel like people walk all over me.

If you don't like blowing up, then you could go at them Honor Harrington style: quiet, precise and you emphasize that you expected better from them. Be very polite and reserved... it only makes it hurt more.

Granted for this to work, you have to be work your ass of, so when this "scolding" or "disappointment" comes from you it carries weight.

If this doesn't work then don't bother shouting, you may give another lecture... but after that the gloves come off, and you should use the full weight of your authority. So you make a complaint about the worker to your superiors, outline what's wrong and let the hammer fall. You only need to do this once and they'll fear you like god's wrath.

This gives the impression that when you say something it carries weight and you're not preaching because you're full of yourself, but because you really demand that much and you believe in what you say.

[font=Verdana][color=green]I don't know about other here, but I feel that you're approach is actually the best. But, if you say that approach isn't working, I suppose a change of style is called for.

Well, I suppose that the best managerial style would be the grafter. They get involved, and if their lower-workers are struggling, they'll briefly help them for a couple of seconds and tell them to get their act together. However, if they are in the same trouble again, they won't help. "You had my help before" they'll say.

I reckon its because you are new, some of the employees are attempting to "test the water". They are trying to determine whether you are a no-nonsense manager or one whom they can take advantage of in future.

Your first few major decisions would be critical in laying the foundations of your career at said company. I would recommend that you be firm in your orders to your staff and ensure that all work is done properly. However, when it is time to relax, you might want to speak with them in a more informal manner.

Show them that you mean business while working and once all duties are completed, everyone is of equal standing.

The above is my two cents worth of opinion.

Well, like in Management 101, my lecturer said that to try and balance task orientation and human orientation in all aspects of managing. You don't want to be seen as too strict or too lenient. But it all depends on the situation at the moment.

They mistake your kindness for weakness. it's nice to be nice, but fuck them. if they duck out early or don't do all their work, dock their pay. you're not there to be liked, your there to manage. you're the boss, if you don't make them respect you, they never will. especialy in a place like that. that's the pinicle of most of those stooges working life. pick out the worst offender, call him out in front of the next worse few, and say, "i want the job done right, and i want it done now. if you don't like it, then get the fuck on kid. there's plenty more where you came from". if you word it right, you're not fireing them, they quit. make sure you acctualy have someone lined up just in case the stooge does bail.

i know exactly what you mean about the black women thing. it's like a super power or something, and being a mom makes it stronger. i used to hang out with two from mississippi. barbra and bernadine. if one of them told me to do something, i did it with out even thinking. if one of them said run out side naked, i'd probably be half way out the door with pants around my ankles before i realized what i was doing.

as expected, Flaser gives accurate, awesome advice. Agree with most everything he said. I'm the more supportive boss, helping out my coworkers/employees when they need it, and booting the shit out of the useless mongrels that act like their shit don't stink.

I'f you've got lazy troublesome employees, and they arent taking you seriously, boot them hard and fast.

I never had to do such a task, and therefore have no experience whatsoever, but I know that at work, I try to be nice, but distant with people. This way, they can't tell you you're mean, or too strict, or rude, but they can't take advantage of your weakness (my weakness is being too nice and too friendly with everyone), so keeping a distance between me and my co workers usually makes it easier to earn their respect, and make me seem a bit more professional.

Also, try to use a lower tone of voice (especially because you are a woman, some surveys showed that women with a deeper voice and shorter hair are more succesful in managing their teams), always stay calm, and if they talk back, or start shouting, always keep your position, call them by their last name etc... It's little things like that which can help keep a feeling of hierarchy and respect at work, and I know it might seem like a pretentious behavior, but if you're their superior, and if you always take just decisions that they have no reason to contest, they have to respect you.

Anyways, I don't know if I was of help, but good luck, and give them hell, Ziggy :3

It doesn't matter what management style you adapt as long as it does the following.

1. Suits you. This is important. If you don't adapt a style that feels right to you, it won't be effective at all because you won't get the point across well.

2. Gets the employees to listen to you. If you cannot accomplish this as a manager, you are not doing your job. End of story.

3. Gets the employees to do their job. Part of your job is to make sure they do their job. If they feel they can slack off, then you are obviously not doing your job effective enough.

4. Employees suffer consequences for their actions. Employees need to be punished if they do something wrong. If they don't under your type of management, then you will find it difficult to get work done with them. Alternatively, you could also see about giving them small rewards for good actions. They don't have to even be that big either. Praising them goes a lot further than you think.

Different things work for different people.

The stern, fierce barking works for your boss, but taking the nice-guy approach may work better for others.

My personal take on things whenever I'm in charge is simply to be an up and at'em leader. I'll just start working, and casually ask for a hand either here or there. Throw in some banter, a few jokes- but still keep working.

Now- granted- this applies mostly if you're always out there working with your team. If you deal mostly with the paperwork, this approach needs to be switched up slightly.


Actually, a proper answer would require some different information than what you have given us;

-What is it exactly that you do?
-Describe your team a little; ages, an idea of their personality.
-Describe yourself a little too. You come across a rather meek, petite l'il thing, but that's just the impression I got. What's your normal, natural disposition like?
-What's the workplace environment like? (loud, rowdy, well-organized, chaotic, rude, clean, etc)?
(Well- a restaurant is usually fairly hectic, but does it seem like things run fairly smoothly, or do people jostle about, never really knowing what they're doing)?

My job is to handle all customer complaints, dispatch drivers, handle all money and paperwork, and inventory counts. I make sure people are assigned duties before they leave at the end of the night and that they complete it.

My team is all of males of all ages. 18-50. Most are dumb and most have problems going on in their life. Another handful of people use this job as a second job (of course, nobody in their right mind can make a living there)

I don't know how to describe myself. I am little - only 5 feet tall. I'm usually calm and I try to not carry a negative state of mind around with me.

The workplace environment is chaotic. Usually we're not staffed well enough thanks to our higher manager. Due to the chaos people get on each others nerves sometimes.

My boss (also female, 5'4", cute little thing) is terrifying. She's not mean, or angry, in fact she is pretty nice. The one time I've seen her angry though was enough to scare the rest of us shitless. She dropped the hammer of the gods on us. Suffice it to say since then order has been maintained. But, I don't know if that applies to your situation, just another perspective.

With the crew you're working with it seems like approaching them as a clear-cut superior who doesn't mind relaxing every now and again when there's time for it would be good. Make sure they realize that you are in charge and, if need be, drop the hammer as a few of the posters above said to establish that respect.

It depends a lot upon the situation and what resources you have at your disposal to motivate/discipline employees. For me, there are several things I keep in mind.

1. Don't manage things that don't need to be managed - This is like your complaint about micro managing. If one has to stand behind someone all the time, then the manager might as well do the job herself. Likewise, people aren't machines and there is no need to crack down on things that are not harmful and don't prevent work.

2. Don't fight with people. Tell them what you expect, and if it doesn't happen, they face the consequences. If they protest, too bad, their excuses should have been dealt with in the appropriate way according to policy, in which case they would have been evaluated fairly. One can offer warnings and such, but be specific and stick to what you say. If there is nothing to be gained by arguing with you, employees will be less likely to do it.

3. Don't be a dick, but also don't try to make everyone like you. The job is to manage, not be someone's friend. You want to be respected as fair and consistent above all. Employees should be confident that everyone is dealt with on equal ground and that consequences and benefits are consistent. They shouldn't expect to get out of things because you are "buddies" or be frustrated by wild inconsistencies in policy enforcement.

4. Note results, not just methods. I feel this gets missed a lot. Many bosses just check to make sure you are doing what they told you, even if it is inefficient or if you are doing a slow/poor job. I've seen places where the guy who made it look like he was trying when someone was watching but did a crappy job got more esteem from the boss than the guy who did all his work well and got more results but didn't always keep up the appearance of being hardworking. Workers who don't feel underutilized or treated like idiots will be more inclined to try. If someone is getting results easily and goofing off, it may be more useful to figure out how to fully use that worker's skill rather than just yell at him for being lazy when he actually gets more results than others.

Ultimately, a lot also depends on the situation. Without effect tools to motivate and discipline employees, it is much more difficult. If you do have them though, it is important to take advantage and use them consistently to fairly.

I think Flaser pretty much said what needs to be done. When in a management position, you're not there to make friends and make everyone happy, unless they deserve it. You're there to manage. If someone doesn't do something after being told once, maybe twice, you give them the axe, and move on. Do it once, and they'll know you mean business. That's how things get done.

What they're doing is testing you, to see how lenient or submissive you are as a manager, and you can't be either in a position like that. So just ask nicely once. Twice if you know they're having a rough time, MAYBE, and if it doesn't get done, take disciplinary action. Do this once, and you won't have too much trouble, till you find you have to do it again. They're easily replaced, and you should remind them of that.

Anyways, yeah.

Oy.

Tough situation you got there.

As a small, nice gal overseeing a team of borderline dudes, I'm sorry to say that the best strategy for you to employ would be the "Good Cop/Bad Cop" routine.

Of course, that doesn't mean let' em walk all over you. Just maintain your composure, remain polite, put a little more emphasis upon the urgency of some matters, but don't harry them.

Firm. Polite. Let' em have their space.

Also very important, don't let them see how frustrated you're getting. These guys are like horses; give an inch, they'll go a mile.

It may seem like I'm just telling you to keep doing what you're doing, but one important aspect is that you can't let yourself blow up. Put your foot down earlier while you still have your composure. Once again; firm but polite.

The problem that you're having now is that they see you as a yapping Chihuahua. (No offense).

So from here on out, your biggest obstacle would be to keep your temper under control, in order to dispel that image.

Hope that this may help.

P.S. Worst comes to worst, I've got a S&W 500 you could borrow- but it might be kinda tough for little you to fire. (It's a big-ass gun).

Tardiness isn't accepted at my job, no matter who it is. One time I was forced to be late to my job due to my car, I was exactly 37 minutes late. I was supposed to be clocked in at 7pm and my coworker was to leave at 8pm.

I clocked in at 7:37 and my manager told me that I can come in the next day and cover 3 hours of my coworkers shift since she 'had to cover mine' despite the fact she was scheduled to be there regardless.

It wouldn't have been a big deal, but that specific day was my day off - a day off that I hadn't had in 13 days. Forcing me to work that day plus more days resulting me working 16 days straight. I was going mental ;| I wanted to scream into the sky when I was told I had to work on my day off that I had wanted oh so badly. I felt that was very unjustified and I was getting bossed around because I was the new person and favoritism towards my coworker.

Tardiness with me I don't really care as long as I'm not busy. I have more things to worry about than if you're 15 minutes late.