Tag: manager | The Caraires Consultancy

It’s never nice to have to accept that you’re the problem. However, there are two different routes you can go down once this becomes clear.

One will help you progress, flourish and ultimately become a better boss, and one will lead you down a path of anxiety and maybe even being fired. You can choose to lead into the criticism that’s floating around about you; you can choose to speak to your boss and your team and work out exactly what the issue is, and then work to overcome it; or you can choose to deny to yourself that there’s any issue at all, ignore what people are obviously saying and pretend it isn’t happening.

Which path do you believe will lead to success?

Yet the first step is to ascertain if there is an issue. One disgruntled employee’s opinion is not law, nor is a grumpy comment uttered when they didn’t think you were within earshot. It may be that you’re simply creating a mutiny out of nothing, so here’s how you tell.

1. You’re ignored

There are a few key signs that you simply aren’t liked as a manager and one is that you’re largely treated as if you weren’t there at all. Employees who hate their manager often just want them to go away, and presume that if they don’t make any contact, they’ll leave without having to endure a long conversation. This is especially true when large groups of employees are together – such as in breakout rooms or work gatherings.

2. You’re constantly disobeyed

It takes respect to command your own team. Those below you have to believe in your leadership to feel confident in actioning your decisions. If you find that you have to ask multiple times before anyone will do what you say, or that you receive constant push back and second-guessing before they finally relent, then you’re not receiving the respect that you crave.

3. You’re undermined

Workers will never trust the verdict of a boss who they believe is bad at their job. Often, even if you give them the information they’ve requested, they’ll either go above your head to ensure that it’s correct, or even go to a co-worker to verify your answer. Whilst this may seem innocent, by avoiding taking your advice, they’re essentially displaying how little confidence they have in your knowledge.