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newmanager · Posted: Wed Nov 28, 2007 1:40 pm Post subject: Office Politics or what?

USA.
I am a new manager, responsible for supervising professional employees in a government office environment. I have been in the position for about 2 years, with 23 years of experience with this agency.
My question is this. How do you deal with employees, subordinates, who are trying to sabotage your career, and who are backstabbers.

Randy · Posted: Wed Nov 28, 2007 5:18 pm Post subject:

Well first, you simply have to know that from their side of the fence, the chances of you being seen as anything but a self-serving sycophant who doesn't give one damn about the employees are slim to none. Not saying that's the case at all, but only that it is indeed very rare when managers truly earn the respect of their employees and that's simply because, as you and I both know, a manager's first responsibility is to the company, NOT the employees.

As for the office politics, gossip, and the rest of the completely unnecessary little melodramas employees use to pass the time instead of working? It's really very easy, but chances are you'll find yourself unemployed. You get them all together and you simply "lay down the law." Tell them in no uncertain terms that it's a "working environment," not a damned day-care for adults. (I'm saying you'll be in big trouble because they'll be the first to go over your head to your bosses! Mid-level managment sucks. You know and I know it.)

And if you REALLY want to put a stop to it, here's what you do:

Call persons A and B into your office and give person A the chance to say in front of person B what he/she has been saying about him, behind his back. You'll be lucky to find one person in a million who has this much courage, character, and integrity.

You won't need to do that more than twice before the word will spread through the "office grapevine" that you don't play games. Combine that with treating them fairly, truly acknowledging the work they do, letting them know you, personally, appreicate their contribution (even if you can do NOTHING in terms of raises, etc), and you'll make your lives, and their's, much, much better.

It's axiomatic, though nearly forgotten, that "leaders lead by example." So be a leader, not simply a "manager." Face it, "managing" has far more to do with scheduling work, delegating responsibilities and assignments, record-keeping, and all the rest. What you do a "manager" may well indeed impress the hell out of YOUR bosses, but what those who report to YOU need--absolutely require--is leadership! And no, you don't training classes and seminars or college degrees. It's about leading by example, nothing more, nothing less.

Sounds to me like those folks need a swift kick in the butt simply because you care enough to look for a solution to all this! Good for you!

Pauloz · Posted: Sat Dec 01, 2007 10:17 pm Post subject:

newmanager-

The government environment is your key. I've worked in government for decades.

These guys aren't fighters. Generally the jerks are the ones lacking talent. If they're professionals, hit them with a few new hoops to jump through.

A few of the ordinary gimmicks like kpis, performance reviews, job evaluations, restructuring, all look good.

Senior management will have difficulty arguing if you come up with a way of doing your work better.

(Might need doing, too, if these characters have the time and scope to be creating problems.)

Single out the saboteurs, and use those hoops to get rid of them. Nothing like a nice redundancy as a perfect payoff to a geek who's been making the place unhygienic.

As a manager you can't be the nicest guy in the world all the time. I quite agree with Randy's tone and content. Kick a few deserving heads clear off. You'll get respect, maybe love, from the competent ones, and fear from the idiots.

This is also self defence. Sycophants can't be trusted, ever. The less information they have, the better. Find someone with real ability, and promote them above the jerks. There's always someone who knows what's wrong, and that's the guy you need. That person will be very hard to fool, and as unimpressed as you are.

Important: doubt is a weapon. If they don't know which way you're going to jump, they'll pull their heads in.

Randy · Posted: Sun Dec 02, 2007 11:03 am Post subject:

quote="Pauloz"

Find someone with real ability, and promote them above the jerks. There's always someone who knows what's wrong, and that's the guy you need. That person will be very hard to fool, and as unimpressed as you are.

An ex-military man (SAC, actually) took over as vp at a production facility where I once worked. Two weeks later, he called me into his office and said he was promoting me to supervisor. He said he'd been watching me, had concluded I was the "black sheep" of the place, and that in the military, these make the best leaders.

Not because of me, but because of him, I agree with his observations. Months later we were all in a meeting (damn, I hate meetings) and the president barged in, visibly angry about something done with his personal knowledge and approval. (You'd never me a more paranoid human being.)

Well, there was a strained silence and finally the vp said "It was my decision and my responsibility." Two weeks later he was gone and to this day I remain convinced he knew no more about the matter than did I.

Leaders lead. Managers cover their asses, delegate, and pass the buck.

Important: doubt is a weapon. If they don't know which way you're going to jump, they'll pull their heads in.

Brilliant observation!

cv · Posted: Wed Dec 05, 2007 6:44 am Post subject: Maiging goverment Employees

Paul, Randy Thanks a lot for your excellent replies.

This could also help
http://www.cvtips.com/back_stabbers_at_work.html

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