What kind of Boss are you?
I’ve worked for some bad bosses, guys who couldn’t explain what they wanted and had no patience when the results didn’t match their unrealistic expectations. Mean, disrespectful pushers who leaned on everyone to perform without knowing how to accomplish the tasks required.
So, remembering the bad ones, I tried hard to be the opposite kind of leader when it got to be my turn. I made a point of explaining everything carefully and encouraging each person to ask questions if something I said wasn’t clear. But after that, I expected full cooperation and attention to the work at hand. I have a rather low tolerance for errors which result from not listening and/or not asking timely questions.
When forced to repeat instructions, I’m pretty typical of bosses I’ve known, I don’t attempt to hide my displeasure. Letting the employee know where his attention should be and getting an affirmative response are primary. When that’s been accomplished I usually back off a notch on the rhetoric, smile and tell him to give it his best.
What kind of boss are you? Are you more patient than I am? When do you think that the responsibility for a worker’s performance has passed from you to him? How many chances should he get to grasp a simple instruction and get the fawk in gear? What signals a lack of interest or attentiveness, enough to terminate him?
Replies
When I had employees (up tp 18 in an architectural firm before I sold it in 1999) I tried to be the best leader possible. I stressed teamwork and a horizontal structure. For example I even didn't like it when an employee said "I work for Runnerguy". I said "You don't for me, you work with me".
Regarding horizontal structure, I felt that while everyone had different roles and responsibilities and where compensated in different amounts, no one was really more valuable to the company then anyone else. For example, if we had worked to prepare exibits for a rezoning and gave thme to the office boy for delivery to the local govenrment by the deadline, we we're relying on him to do his job which was really no less important then anyone elses.
I ran that company for 18 years and we had very little turnover. None for the first seven years until one guy moved 200 miles away.
Runnerguy
I have guys who have been with me since '91. They know more than I do on some things and I am glad to listen to them too.But when it comes to decision time or a difference of opinion, we all know who is standing in front of the muzzle.We are a verticle organization in that way, but at the same time nobody shirks when it comes to doing nasty jobs, because I will be the fist one to jump in on that stuff. We are a horizontal organization when it comes for instance, to lying in the mud in a 20" crawlspace.;)
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
When I had employees (up tp 18 in an architectural firm before I sold it in 1999) I tried to be the best leader possible. I stressed teamwork and a horizontal structure.
I admire that approach, teamwork and equality, but any physical work which presents dangers requires a different management style. The experienced guys have more authority on my jobs, to keep others from getting into trouble or causing it for those around them.
They know that I expect them to step in immediately, whenever they notice a potential problem, and correct it. Other than that, effort and team work draw respect from everyone.
When an attitude adjustment is needed, I try to get in the first shot but it's really a good natured, if sarcastic, free-for-all.
When an attitude adjustment is needed, I try to get in the first shot but it's really a good natured, if sarcastic, free-for-all.
I could work for you, what the hell, if you cant have all that sarcastic BS whats the point in being there!
Doug
I could work for you, what the hell, if you cant have all that sarcastic BS whats the point in being there!
That's right. It's worth remembering that when a guy's attitude is out of whack, he's a poor influence on those who have to work with him. That's a distraction which can be dangerous and is always unpleasant and counter productive.
There's an art to expressing friendly sarcasm which is meant to lighten things up, keeping everyone relaxed and alert. God bless those who, by their loving humor, make hard work a joy to perform.
Hud
I've maintained for years that I could stand in a ditch and dig all day long with someone fun to work with over being in the finest cabinet shop building high end cabinetry with a dick head.
Work is fun and when it becomes anything less then its time to move on!
I worked with a kid (26 YO) down in Texas, couldnt have a better attitude, man I miss working with him. I dont care if we were doing some shiddy job we would have fun, plus he could take all the BS I threw at him.
As for the bad attitude, we got one of those in our shop, most talented guy I've seen but his attitude will drain ya, so damn negative about everything. I really like the guy but sometimes he makes it difficult to want to be there. Thank God I dont have to work in the shop anymore then I do.
Back to your original message - whenever I'm in charge of workers I've always felt that the best leader I could be was one that didnt have to remind anybody of that position, I hate a boss that constantly reminds everybody of his position, you shouldnt have to, it should be obvious! Thats not to diminish what you said about the dangerous type of work that we do at times but a leader will surface when he/she needs to, thats why they are leaders.
Doug
Similar but different from you.
I explain details well as I think need be first time off, based on what I believe is that persons level of need and understanding. Some guys need more detailing than others.
It is a fine line because explaining too much on a second grade level to a guy who already knows is insulting him.
but explaining the details to a guy who only thinks he knows is an absolute necessity.
If I have to go over things a second time when I find out he is doing it wrong, I assume it was my lack of depth initialy, and no fault of his. I explain more.
but if it ccomes to a third time, I assume that he is a freaking idiot or that he has an attitude that he is not interested in doing it my way.
That changes a lot. I am no longer talking about how to do it, but asking what is his problem.
could be a temporary thing like his girlfriend screwed with his head last night or his mother is in the hospital, distracting him.
or it could be a permanent attitude problem that means he gets to walk.
Welcome to the
Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime.
where ...
Excellence is its own reward!
I agree that over explaining is counter productive. I keep the scope small and the instructions simple and brief, then ask for questions. As the foreman/boss I take tasks which allow me to work alone and keep an eye on the guys who aren't yet real familiar with my methods and/or who are learning basic carpentry skills from me and my crew.
I make my layouts very clear, adding my own code letters to prints for window and door openings. Then I use a red crayon to mark the letters on the actual layout and on the headers.
This comes from working with a lot of guys who enjoy drinkin' too much, too often and can't be counted on to be coherent every morning.
I feel a responsibility to teach younger guys the trade but that doesn't always translate into a responsible attitude toward learning on their part ;-) No problem really. I can work around that as long as the guy shows up every morning, willing to put in a good effort.
Edited 9/30/2007 10:11 am ET by Hudson Valley Carpenter
I just started with a new/old company---- company I worked for before.
We just started to pipe in the below ground parking garage of a 20 story condo.
I have one journeyman, & one apprentice right now, it will probably grow to about 15 guys by late winter.
I generally lead with a dangled carrot approach, I like to do lunches & company propaganda for rewarding hard work.
But, I have been known to "T" off on a guy that belligerently challenges my authority on the job.
I have simple rules----- get it in, get it done, & make it square.
I could care less is a guy plumbs with a finger in his nose, ipod stuck in the ear, or jabbering about anything & everything------- end result is what it's all about to me----- with in reason of course.
“If Fred Thompson runs... then I think that makes it easier for me to not run.” Newt Gingrich
I have always believed in showing respect to my staff and allowing them to voice their ideas and opinions. However, I quickly discovered that they would take that to mean that they could argue with me at every turn. They didn't seem to beable to tell the difference between the initial creative discussion (were their input is invited) and the times when I simply want them to do the tasks assigned.
I am a perfectionist. I like things done in a particular manner. I like my jobsites clean, tidy and safe. I like my staff clean shaven, presentable, and well mannered. Unfortunately, I have never seemed to get what i want so this year I have decided to work alone. I bring in labour as I need and send them on their way when I am done.
Not to long ago I walked into a former employers office and told him that I couldn't understand why he used to come out of his office screaming about (what seemed like) the most ridiculous things. As he started to get his back up over that comment I proceeded to tell him that now I get it. FRUSTRATION. When you put your heart and soul into your company and you see your staff putting in less than you or not performing at there best you get frustrated. When you find yourself having to pull away from your job to deal with someone else NOt doing theirs you get frustrated. BIG TIME!!!!!!!!!!
Anyway, that's how I see it.
Dave
I could have written your post myself. Well said."Poor is not the person who has too little, but the person who craves more."...Seneca
As a foreman, I get a pretty long leash from the higher-ups...a long chain on which to hang myself....
With my guys, I try to explain the bare essentials. I've found that most carpenters have an ADD-type personality, me included, which makes it hard to remember verbal instructions. I'll explain briefly, demonstrate or draw what I want, and am happy to get questions because that means they're thinking it through.
I'll even take a second round of questions. I'm not the best communicator, and I know things get lost in translation.
Like most guys here, we do a lot of unusual jobs, and the "talent" varies. So the management style has to vary too.