As a management trainer who has a blog, Great Managers Are Made Not Born, I am constantly in search of the great managers at every place I go. And I am usually very disappointed. Whether it’s a restaurant, a hardware store, a retail business or a corporation I am constantly disappointed by who I meet or who I learn about. After I speak, or after people know I teach management they often seek me out to ask, what can I do about my manager?
When I have casual conversations at bars or in airports I often watch bad management happening right in front of me. I see managers discipline their people in front of customers and other employees. Both cardinal sins of management.
I hear the horror stories where bad managers are not only in place but kept in place after terrible events where they demonstrate their complete lack of management skills.
I ask again and again, why are they allowed to stay in their jobs? And I think, there must be some place deep inside of their abilities that makes them appear financially desirable.
Notice I said appear. Continue reading