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Seeing it from both sides

OK, I am now in a position to see the problems from both sides and I have to tell you, emotion, ego and lack of self control cause almost every damn skirmish between managers and staff. And the fault lays squarely with the managers, people who are chosen and paid well (most of them) to manage and mentor others! To make sure that the company remains productive and profitable...You need to go to bat for the people who answer to you, even when they are wrong, and tell them after the fact that they weren't right, but never in front of other managers. And how do you do that? By not abusing, confusing and pissing on the people who answer to you.

Because ultimately, you as a manager, need them. They don't need you, you need them. If they get pissed enough or you whip and abuse them enough, they will just fuck off to another department or leave. And if you are unlucky or a big enough asshole, will slander your ass and set out to screw you over in the process. What have they got to lose? And who could blame them? If they are miserable and pissed every single day, and underpaid anyways, why would they even want to help you look good? Exactly what have you done to inspire loyalty?

Managers...that is the one lesson I have learned being on boths sides, YOU need them. YOU need to make sure they are happy and their accomplishments are recognized and that reviews are unbiased, even if you don't like them. You need to leave your ego at home and not be threatened by people who actually have good ideas. It is a challenge. It can feel threatening, but if you are honest and have been where they are, you need to do the right thing. No matter what.

And if they know you are doing this, will follow you and be loyal to you, and you to them. It is a two way street.

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You are wrong
Submitted by unemployed on Fri, 04/11/2008 - 06:00.

Managers now get bonuses based on how "lean" their dept.'s are. They will continue to not hire anyone new and anytime anyone leaves, you will get double work. At the end of the year, they will get a big bonus and you will get 3% (if you're lucky) for working two or 3 peoples jobs. When the dept finally implodes, and you get laid off, well, the Manager gets a huge severance and gets to pad his resume with the awards he rec'd due to saving the company so much money....bla bla bla.

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True Enough....
Submitted by Bent II on Thu, 04/24/2008 - 23:54.

I think it depends where you work and the size of your company and your relative standing within it. But, I have to admit that what you say is probably more the norm than not. IF I was in a managers shoes, I would probably take the hit before bending over one of my staff, which is probably why I won't last long or at the very least will never truly prosper in my current role. Too wishy washy, too fair minded, no killer instinct. Unless I am absolutely furious at someone. And for the most, probably a bit of a puppet. But being aware of the strings is a good thing. It's when you are ignorant to the fact that you are being conveniently used to solve problems by giving you a little power that you really flounder and will crash and burn.
But, hey, I am true to myself.
While I am struggling constantly financially and have been for years, I don't think I could profit from others misfortune in all good conscience. I keep thinking I need to aquire this skill, but honestly, people cannot be who they are not, and will always be true to their original blue print as a person.
So I figure, if they give me what they give me to solve their problems and take the "problem children" into my department, I will give it 100% and if I crash, I crash.
But.....
I will never sell out.
I have been struggling all my life financially, it's not like it's anything new. If I can profit and do it by not fucking someone else up the ass, good. If not, nooo big deal, just business as usual.
I'll go back to my little corner and work away with no managerial responsibility. I have done it all my life, so I have nothing to lose now, only gain and hopefully bring others along to gain something too.

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Eating My Words
Submitted by Bent II on Fri, 05/02/2008 - 03:32.

Uh huh.

I'm finding out that there are many people who cry wolf daily. Abuse, confuse and otherwise try to benefit from emotional blackmail...as specially if you are honest, decent and not out to fuck anyone.

They pick up on this real quick and set out to turn the tables on you...if not for immediate power or profit, with an eye to future profit and power. Or just to fuck you for the shere pleasure it brings them as manipulative emotional carrion pickers. And usually, they are the very people who strummed your ethical hearstrings to begin with. Appealed to your innate sense of right and wrong and general Dudley Doright innocence. Fool.

I must build a wall.

I have known this for years, but would not admit it.

All faith in human nature is leaving me and I may have to turn to the dark side ...for survival.

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