THE WORLD’S WORST BOSS
By John Ingrisano on Feb 4, 2009 in Quote of the Day
I’ve always believed that if it weren’t for the employees and the customers, business would be a breeze!
Actually, I’m pretty good with the customers. But I am the world’s worst boss. Ask any of my former employees. I was overbearing, tending to micro-manage, praised when I should have kicked butt, and kicked butt when I should have shut up. These days, I have no employees (unless you count Rocky the Boxer and Toni the Golden Retriever), but I did learn a few things along the way.
My point? Hire quality, hire it slowly, and, when you’re sure you have the right people on board, give them a pat on the head and a twist in the right direction … and get the heck out of their way. — jri
“The less a leader says
The happier his people
The more a leader struts and brags
The sorrier his people.”
– Lao Tzu
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tom | Feb 4, 2009 | Reply
I have not been a manager myself but I am starting to see the inefficiencies of my current and past bosses.
One thing I would say is that empowerment is very important or should be very important.
John Ingrisano | Feb 6, 2009 | Reply
Tom, I agree. When I was younger, I used to believe that the manager was smarter than the hourly employee; the department head smarter than the manager; the president smarter than the vice president, etc.
It was a rude awakening to finally recognize that many people in leadership positions can be terrible leaders. As friend told me recently: “First-rate people hire first-rate people; second-rate people hire third-rate people.” I see that much more than I’d like to acknowledge. JRI