Where are the Good Bosses?

GordonMiller

Posted: Jan 8, 07 6:33pm

A workplace culture with lousy managers isn't anything new. Dilbert's pointy-haired boss has been adorning cubicles and offices for years. Yet a new study by Florida State University reveals a whole new level of incompetence.

The results of the study, which are scheduled for publication in the Fall 2007 issue of Leadership Quarterly, include:

• 39% of workers said their supervisor failed to keep promises
• 37% said their boss failed to give credit when due
• 31% said their supervisor gave them the "silent treatment" in the past year
• 27% said their boss made negative comments about them to other employees or managers
• 24% said their boss invaded their privacy
• 23% said their supervisor blamed others to cover up mistakes or minimize embarrassment

Why are there More Bad Bosses than Ever?

The findings are not dissimilar to a non-scientific study I conducted a few years ago, via tele-seminars I was conducting nationwide with hundreds of workers. I found that 81 percent of those people surveyed classified their boss as a "lousy manager," up one-third from the same study two years prior.

To further complicate the matter, 79 percent of the workers I spoke to said they don't want to be managed, they want to be mentored. But how many of today's managers make good mentors? How many have the skills to be a good coach, not just someone who gives orders?

What's the Impact of a Bad Boss?

The Florida State study summarized that bad bosses caused plenty of problems for companies, including poor morale, reduced production, and high turnover.

My study found that most workers who experienced the bad boss syndrome were especially frustrated that the firm didn't seem to be doing anything about bad bosses (unless there was a harassment issue of some kind).

So, What is the Answer?

If you're looking for a quick fix, forget about it. But there are a couple things you can do to lessen the impact.

For Employees

• When interviewing with a prospective new boss, ask him/her for the names of people who have left their department in the last few months. If they aren't willing to share that info, it might be a clue.
• Ask the existing bad boss for a monthly progress meeting to discuss activities, concerns, and the like. If they don't agree to this request, the future may not be all that bright.
  

For Employers

• Focus on employee retention (workers hate it when they see good employees leave).
• Ask the workforce what they would like to see change with the company culture, and then make some of the changes (don't just talk the talk).
• Invest in training programs to turn managers into mentors.

How about you? Have a bad boss story to share? How about some other solutions for employees or companies?