Go From Defective to Effective Leadership

by Joyce Weiss, M.A., CSP

Joyce Weiss, founder of Bold Solutions to Boost the Bottom Line™ travels around the country and works with organizations in the most diverse of industries. Many businesses have defective managers and a common complaint she hears is, "My boss can't manage." Typically, these managers have worked hard, done an effective job and do deserve to move up the corporate ladder. Many are technically skilled, or have been promoted for excellent individual work, but have never learned the people skills required to be a good leader. And they now find themselves in positions of managing others. People are being placed in management positions with little or no management training. Joyce Weiss is challenging all CEO's to present their managers and leaders with a few difficult workplace scenarios and put them to the test: Are they DEFECTIVE managers or EFFECTIVE leaders?

The first scenario is when managers have to tell employees that there won't be bonuses this year. How would your managers do it? Weiss says the defective manager avoids all human contact and puts the information in a newsletter or says nothing and waits for the gossip to start. On the other hand, the effective leader would handle things much differently. Weiss recommends sharing as much information with the employees as possible. "Have your manager explain why there will be no bonuses - perhaps due to lack of sales, reduced margins or a seasonal downturn," says Weiss. "Employees really need to understand why." She also suggests that leaders let employees know how much their work is appreciated and offer a day off, tickets to a concert or some other perk. Weiss recalls one employee's reaction, "Although I am disappointed with the bonus situation, my manager knows how to handle a tough situation. I know I am treated well."

Another situation a manager must confront is how to react when an employee makes a mistake with an important customer. How would your manager deal with this particular employee? Weiss says the defective manager would publicly ridicule the employee in front of others or would talk to the entire team as if they were children. The individual is never personally approached. Weiss recommends that the effective leader accept responsibility for the mistake. "Discuss the situation with the employee privately and ask, "What did we learn from this situation?" and "How can I help you in the future?" said Weiss.

Effective Management Is Effective Communication