Being a manager is hard work, and has a variety of challenges. Because we like to wrap things up in tidy packages, we picked what we think are the Top 10 Manager Challenges. Interestingly, the first five are all about conflict, and the management thereof:
- Firing People
- Discipline of Employees
- Showdown with the boss
- Being Caught in the Middle
- Peer conflict
Next week, we’ll talk about the other five.
Monday’s Tip: Do your homework. Whether you are firing someone, disciplining an employee or having a peer conflict, it is important you have the best information you can get. Ask relevant questions, and gather as much information as you can.
Tuesday’s Tip: Have a paper trail. In God we trust – all others bring documentation. Obviously you need to document terminations and discipline, but also get in the habit of documenting interactions with your boss, and/or with peers is there is acrimony.
Wednesday’s Tip: Do not react. First reactions are usually the wrong ones. There is nothing wrong with delaying a response until such time as you have processed the information and situation. The more emotive the situation, the more important this is.
Thursday’s Tip: Deal with it! Conflict is never fun, but it will get worse the longer you leave it. It is best to surface and deal with conflict right away, so you can move to resolution and move on.
Friday’s Tip: Do not bad-mouth others. Do not ever speak ill of anyone you do not want it to get back to – because it always does. This is especially important of your boss and your direct reports. Your mother was right: if you can’t say something nice….