Memorygirls - The Matrix Reloaded

MatyMoo

Staff Management is a real toughie. Some people just don't have a good work ethic and treat it as a social occasion. Shop workers do seem to be quite bad at that, can't tell you the number of times I have been waiting to be served and they have been busy organising their nights out and ignoring customers :mad:

Nice but fair mean need to be tweaked a little to firm but fair maybe? Once you have them licked in to shape it is easier to cut them some slack.

I would second what Cheri says though, sometimes when the chips are down staff can amaze you and make you proud

MrsMoo2U

Thanks Maty, I did mean to add change nice to firm but fair. The best piece of advice anybody ever gave me was when I got promoted and had my first team. They said that if the staff liked me all of the time then I was doing something wrong as a manager. To be respected as a manager I had to be firm and not take any BS.

thriftyscotslass

What a day MG for you and ds1. Bless ds2's little cotton socks trying to make it better. Join us later with a big glass of wine - we'll supply the shoulders and a large box of tissues.

Maty - nice observation about Mr & Mrs B. Yip they are big people with big hearts.

Claire - well done on your bargains.

Souk - Keep goin' boss, lead by example and most staff will follow.

Right, off to enjoy a nice glass of red wine, Thriftyxxx

MatyMoo

cherisong wrote: »

Thanks Maty, I did mean to add change nice to firm but fair. The best piece of advice anybody ever gave me was when I got promoted and had my first team. They said that if the staff liked me all of the time then I was doing something wrong as a manager. To be respected as a manager I had to be firm and not take any BS.

Very, very true!!!

To be honest I have never tried to be buddies with my staff as I think it makes it harder to manage them. Not always easy if you are promoted up through the ranks and go from being the colleague to supervisor/line manager/boss.

Luckily for me many of my ex staff are now friends so I must have done something right

InaPickle

*Hands big bar of chocolate over to MG*

Souk, don't take any of it: do what you have to and be as ruthless as necessary in the short term. Once they see where the line is, and that it is not moving and that you are being consistent in terms of what you expect, they'll get the idea.

greenbee

cherisong wrote: »

The best piece of advice anybody ever gave me was when I got promoted and had my first team. They said that if the staff liked me all of the time then I was doing something wrong as a manager. To be respected as a manager I had to be firm and not take any BS.

That's a good point... remember, they're your staff not your friends. You may be able to be friends once one or both of you are working somewhere else, but right now, its not about being liked, it's about getting the job done.

Interestingly I found that when I got the hang of this, my staff actually liked me more, and regularly delivered over and above what was expected of them. They worked hard, worked late, never switched their phones off and were generally lovely. In return, I wasn't fussed about working hours as long as the job was done (well, I could hardly complain that they weren't logged in at 9am when I was calling them at 11pm!). Since I've left, those of them who haven't moved on to bigger and better things now work 9-5. I'm sad in many ways... they aren't achieving their full potential anymore, because they're not being challenged.

My favourite management book - First Break All The Rules Definitely worth a read.

Souk08

Ah thanks girls, I'm not bothered about being their friend, I have lots of those and as an outsider I will always manage first. I do love the customer bit and lead by example...but at the moment some aren't following!!! I have to say I find the younger generation as a whole are quite spoilt and not up for hard work. I do have some grafters too though so not all bad!!!!

Today will be busy and they have lots to do, I'll just need to make sure they get on with it.

Looking forward to a night out I have to say!!!

Have a good day all X

Helen105

greenbee wrote: »

Since I've left, those of them who haven't moved on to bigger and better things now work 9-5. I'm sad in many ways... they aren't achieving their full potential anymore, because they're not being challenged.

Why be sad because they are no longer working long hours? As MG is currently proving time with your family is more important than work.

Although having said that I have decided to go into work tomorrow afternoon instead of taking GS swimming.:(:(

Memory_Girl

I'm up and heading out to the old school building to pick up the rest of DS1's pieces of work and hopefully some shelves to help set up a classrom area for him - he's decided he doesn't want to come as its "too sad".

Well he will have to stay here on his own for an hour then - will take DS2 with me and give him some quite time.

See the forums will be down today - so see you all on the other side.

MG

greenbee

Helen105 wrote: »

Why be sad because they are no longer working long hours? As MG is currently proving time with your family is more important than work.

I'm not sad because they're working long hours. I'm sad because they're no longer enjoying work, or able to have the flexibility they used to. They didn't have to work 9-5 beforehand, which meant they could go to the doctor or dentist, or spend time with a sick child, or have lunch with a friend or partner without having to take a day off. Working 9-5 is very restrictive (plus it means that if you have to travel to an office you're generally wasting time sitting in rush-hour traffic at some point).