Actions to be Avoided as Leaders-
As Managers you may often do them!
- Blaming the Team -working as a HRBP –I worked closely with sales team. The sales targets were always high - and as HR I often observed Sales Managers indulge in Blame Games- when the teams/branch did not do well. However seldom came across Managers who had the habit of giving public credit to the team members when the branch did well. This behavior never worked well – and such managers while playing the hire and fire may earn promotions but – rarely will they earn love and respect from team members. As a leader- if one can take the credit of performance then s/he has to take the burden of non-performance too
- Using Abusive Language/Shouting Remember all Human Beings have self respect- they may or not be in a position to exhibit it all times due to various reasons (job loss the biggest reason). But that must not give any one the freedom to shout or abuse at the team. One may get angry- annoyed but not at the cost f someone’s dignity. I remember my Boss- a lady boss – and she did get angry- but even in her anger – we never felt insulted. We felt hurt- but never insulted. We felt hurt but because she loved us and we loved her- and so the hurt was because we disappointed her. Yes- getting angry/annoyed is natural when we work as teams- but then it should never demean someone.
- Threatening is another behavior which many use- like if this is not done- then “resign or wait for your termination”. Threading not only creates a culture of insecurity but is also excessive use of power which one holds and is never a solution to any problem in the longer run. Any attitude driven by fear is hypocritical, and does not indicate real change.
- Very close to threatening comes using sarcastic tone/sentences Making fun/ridiculing a team member/subordinate in private or public- will leave a deep hurt and she/he will never be able to respect the team manager. Sometimes ridiculing someone leads to a deep personality disorder and mat impact the recipient adversely
- Another trait that must be avoided is comparing – this not only creates jealousy and anger but shall also put the recipient in a negative mode/defensive one.
- Do not give orders-work should be distributed and delegated. If you want to nurture leaders –then refrain from giving orders- make them understand their roles- delegate responsibilities and guide them to fulfill them. It is a well understood task- that people do on their own-willingly because they know that the role demands the same – and not the boss. It is only when people understand the whys they will excel in their roles and exceed expectations
- Continuous Advising and Micro Managing may not only make a person bored of but also steal away his/her natural willingness to perform.