On the Job by Anita Bruzzese Its Time for Managers to Get Weird

On the Job by Anita Bruzzese It's Time for Managers to Get Weird I feel for managers these days, I really do. Or, at least I feel for the good managers. The evil troll managers I don't really think about too much, because they're going to get theirs one day no matter what I think about them.But the good managers -- those men and women who are trying to hold it together when it feels like the entire workplace is a huge Titanic without Leonardo DiCaprio to at least provide a distraction from the looming iceberg -- I feel for what they're going through.I know they're losing sleep. They're worried about their job, sure, but they're worried about dozens or even hundreds of others. The good managers know their people really well. They know who has health problems and can't afford to lose insurance coverage. They know who is struggling to pay a mortgage with a kid in college and they know who is a single parent with no help.So, they go into work every day trying to stay calm and rational and upbeat. They're trying to keep frightened and disillusioned emp loyees on track, trying everything to keep employees feeling creative and productive.That's why it's time managers got a little weird.Let me explain. I once interviewed a restaurant manager who needed to make sure employees were cleaning the place thoroughly, but knew that constant nagging would not help. In fact, it would probably just make workers annoyed and angry, or perhaps apathetic. Not a good thing when a health inspector was on the way.So instead he devised a system where he stuck small colored stickers in various places around the eatery. Employees who cleaned well would soon find these stickers. And, by turning these stickers over to management, they gained a prize and the restaurant gained quality work and a top-notch health inspection.While such a practice sounds simple, many managers wouldn't even think of such a different approach to work. They simply keeping nagging employees and losing morale and motivation in the process.But if managers these days want to keep th eir best workers -- and that is another huge worry -- they've got to quit caring what someone else will think of their methods and just focus on getting people to do what they do best.In other words, give the employees a reason to get out of bed in the morning and not worry about what may be around the corner. Someone else might think your methods are a bit weird, but hey, you're just being a good manager.So here are some ideas given by other managers as a way to make a job more interesting and fun for a worker, while gaining higher productivity and quality work:* Let them play. Everyone knows that employees play solitaire on the computer, or some other kind of game. In fact, studies show that a little down time is good for recharging the batteries. So, why not devise internal company games that get employees to solve crosswords or anagrams or puzzles that have to do with company products or history? That way, employees are being educated while having fun.* Put mentors in reverse: Its not only the older employees who have something to teach younger employees. Many younger workers can help older employees master some technology dilemmas through interactive sessions where information is shared in a relaxed way.* Use training theater. I learned that one manager feared that some of his younger male employees were being a little too forward with female customers, so instead of lecturing them, the manager had several male managers dress as women (heels, lipstick, dresses) and role-play with other male employees. It soon became apparent after the laughter died down that some behavior was not appropriate, and it brought the message home without pointing fingers.* Take a road trip. Take employees to visit a competitor and find out what the other business does right. Or, visit businesses known for their customer service, even if its not your particular industry. Many retailers are known for top service ask employees what they noticed about how employees in these stor es behaved.*Put out the welcome mat: Every month have one department hold an open house for others in the company. Handouts should be given telling what the department does, as well as a tour and narrative that gives information about how the department functions, who works there, etc. (Its always a good idea to offer a little food and beverage one company found a cotton candy machine to be a big hit.)What are some other ways managers can help ease the stress and engage employees?Social BookmarkingLijit Search