If you’re in the business of managing people, you have a difficult job. When I ask a room full of managers to tell me what keeps them up at night, the response I hear most often are those aggravating, agitating personnel problems. Family and good friends are what make life meaningful and yet it’s those irritating “people problems” at work that drive us crazy.
It would be ideal if employees accepted management positions because they enjoyed managing people, but unfortunately, their primary motives usually are money and control. Great managers understand the secret to success — there’s an art to completing tasks through cooperation and collaboration. You can’t do it all yourself! Creating a culture in which people can excel drives excellence and requires extensive thought and planning. The old paradigm of “the boss” has become obsolete. Today’s managers can best be described as teachers, coaches and facilitators.
This column was created primarily to support people looking for a job. Allow me to turn the table for a moment and speak to those who are making the hiring decisions. I want to extend some well-earned recognition to those who have the responsibility of picking the right people for the right jobs. I love this quote from Jack Welch: “The people with the best people win.”
For decades we’ve put teachers on pedestals because they shape the lives of our children. Call me crazy, but I believe a great boss deserves to be on a pedestal much like a fantastic teacher. Here’s why:
Our direct contact with a teacher may last a year or two. Over a 35-year career you may encounter five to 10 different bosses. And just like a teacher, a great boss will help you grow and flourish. I know managers who take great pride in how many people they help to get a promotion. These managers believe helping people advance is more important than the inconvenience of recruiting and hiring new staff. Doesn’t that sound similar to the accomplishments of a great teacher?
I can’t emphasize enough that respect is priceless. I worked for people who truly appreciated my efforts and therefore, I enjoy going to work. Having a job I enjoy means I arrive home with a smile, which benefits the entire family. Nothing worse than a grumpy parent getting home from a job they don’t enjoy. Everyone tries to leave work at work, but we all know that’s impossible. Our relationships at work do affect our attitudes and the quality of our personal lives.
The No. 1 reason people change jobs is because they can’t get along with their boss. Eight hours a day, five days a week, 52 weeks a year (minus a short vacation) can be grinding and frustrating if you have to deal with someone who is incompatible. Employees may joke about it, but we actually do spend more time with our bosses than our immediate family.
Here are some ways an ineffective boss affects our lives:
• Many terminations are the result of conflict with our boss and not necessarily a lack of ability.
• The resulting unemployment and inability to find a new job has caused families to lose their homes, cars and much more.
• The loss of benefits can put a family’s financial stability at risk.
The list could be much longer, but the point I’m trying to make is that bosses have a dramatic impact on the quality of our lives. Our work relationships are much more than “just a job” and we need to treat the hiring process with the respect it deserves.
Here’s my advice based on dealing with the fallout of bad hiring decisions and celebrating the successes from good ones: Those who do the hiring need more substantial training in how to identify and hire people who are good fits for the job and the organization’s culture. Determining if the candidate has the necessary skills is important, but you also need to get beyond the rehearsed answers and know who you’re really hiring. Will this person be tolerant or will he be too demanding for our office?
Managers need to know their list of 10 favorite interview questions is not good enough. Learn how to engage candidates in an authentic conversation that will help you and the candidate get a strong preview of the job. Is this job really a good fit? I always tell candidates that the worst outcome is to accept our job offer only to have both of us realize within three months that it was a mistake.
Managers who make great hiring decisions deserve to be on a pedestal. Every hiring decision affects dozens of lives and will ultimately determine the success or failure of the business. And when you make a mistake, take the time to evaluate what went wrong and how you will make better hiring decisions in the future.
Great managers share the same commitment to their employees as teachers have for their students. Managers play a major role in helping people find careers that they truly enjoy. When you do this well, be proud and accept the recognition of making a difference in someone’s life. Feel good — you’ve earned it.