12 Things We'd Tell Our Bosses if We Could

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There's a quote that PMPs supposedly use - I think I'll add to my repertoire -
"I don't create reality. You pay me to explain it to you."

R C Ayeras of CA 7:56PM August 31, 2010

I'd put 2, 9, and 10 together into a "Don't lie." or "Don't assume you're the smartest." You're a manager, not James Bond or a mafia don. Little white lies, a sick day after a holiday weekend, one hour or one day odd projects, saving a project meeting for Monday, are one thing. However, 'working from home' every Friday or completely changing project goals after weeks of work and acting like nothing happened is detrimental to you, me, and everyone around us. Even if the project succeeds, keeping it a secret from everyone means you used me/us for your personal gain (if it wasn't personal gain, why couldn't we know about it?). If it fails, I'm forced to ask questions about whether I work for you or the company. The most likely scenario is that somewhere in the middle, somebody communicates some secret information to the wrong person, and everyone gets to speculate as to which outcome is the most likely.
If you made a mistake, you're my boss, I'll do what I can to help you fix it. If you want to try moving things in a new direction, let me know. I might be ready to take things in a new direction too. At worst, I'll keep be too busy keeping the balls we have in the air up. You should realize however, that the more time/effort you spend on your pet projects, while I juggle the work projects, the more apparent it becomes that you don't want to supervise me and that I don't need it.

Adam of IL 12:57AM July 12, 2010

Sadly, many supervisors think "management" just means bossing people around. Few realize there is an art to management. Fewer still work to develop that art.

Lynn of KY 8:05AM July 10, 2010

If I had to tell someone a bunch of things that anyone with 10 minutes training and a reasonable sense of social competence should know, then I'm likely to be beating my head against a brick wall. Best to start looking for a new boss I think.

Stuart 5:54PM July 09, 2010

The employers just don't care, beat you down, tell you there are many waiting to take your place, if you don't like it leave. There is no mutual respect or loyalty anymore. Why should I give when I don't receive. The last three years have really changed the work environment and not for the better.

Barb of MI 1:48PM June 22, 2010

Understood, but even still....Don't force me to use outdated technology and then yell at me when it takes too long to do the job. If you know there's a better way to do the job, show me. Don't just say, "I know that can be done using xyz."
If you give me a new project, give me clear instructions. Don't assume I have ESP and get mad because I couldn't read your mind or you didn't give me all the info I needed.
And finally...Yes, we all know the economy is weak, and we know you're concerned about business, but please stop taking it out on us. Stop acting like the drill seargent from heck just because you're on edge because of the state of things. Please know we are doing our honest best to keep the company on track.

Middle Gal of LA 8:32AM June 22, 2010

This list is basic leadership. It does not matter where you are on the food chain use the above guide in BOTH directions for a well working unit.
S.S

S. Studer of NC 8:14AM June 22, 2010

I read it on Yahoo Finance, but there was no comment box. I once had a Manufacturing Manager who was a great guy, but he was intimidating. He smoke 4 packs of cigarettes a day and would show up for work at 3:00 AM and leave at around 8:00 PM. This, because his wife wouldn't let him smoke in the house. When he talked to you, regardless of where it was, he would lean in to about 5 inches from your face. Irritating, to say the least. If you want to talk to me, fine, just don't invade my space. I had enough of that in boot camp.

Lee of KS 4:47PM June 21, 2010

I am a boss, and its not so easy in my seat either. My employees have no idea how many hours I work,that they don't see, or how I ponder and worry and fret about how I am going manage to pay all our company expenses, give you the raise you are begging for even though the economy hit us too with less business,&pay all the increasing fees to provide benefits.We weigh decisions on what health plan to buy staff annually,manytimes knowing that we are going to have to make budget cuts elsewhere so that you can make $5-15co-payments for meds& $20 for doctor visits verses $30/$50 like the ins. guy suggested if budget is a concern.So,to save you those few dolllars everytime you're sick,it cost us $30,000 extra this year above last year,this boils down to $2000 extra for each of you, because we care.Yes, we get upset when you make errors that we think you could have prevented if you concentrated,asked questions, but did you know,that your mistake may cost us thousands of dollars, because you didn't take those few extra minutes to double check your work. A five minute mistake seems little to you, to me, it initially cost $70,000, now it turns out its 2x that.So, yes,I am upset. What if I lost you70k or $140k? So,I may linger around &vseem to be watching you closely,its not because I want to,not because I want to annoy you or have nothing better to do,but I want to prevent another innocent mistake.And yes, we appreciate you, and tell you that,& thank you when you do good, but if we do not tell you when you mess up, then how will you know? We are hoping you are listening and will not repeat it we can't afford it and your salary.Yes,we monitor your emails,keystrokes or watch you with cameras & we are are sorry we have to but, sadly we have to be careful, cause one of your co-workers when we weren't watching stole thousands of dollars from us,while another stole company secrets and its cost us half a million dollars over the last couple of years.So,in an attempt to prevent such horrific events from accuring,we watch,wait, and pray nothing so aweful happens again.We want to trust you,believe in you,respect you, & just let you do your job as much as you want us to do so.But,we also expect you to do the same for us.We hate having to watch you or worry or fret to see if you are doing your job correctly.Its a hard job to be the boss and someone has to do it.&yes, it looks like we have it easy, but trust me, its not in my seat,&I put in more hours than you could ever imagine.Infact, its 11pm-just finished some work,but have more to do,I started my workday at 7:30am,its my day off. I was in your spot before,I understand where you are coming from,trust me! If I could I would give you more benefits than you have now and even better pay if it was feasible.In my heart I'm concerned when you are ill or have personal problems,I even may pray for you,& give you a break when you don't know it, but give us a break too,we're trying!We want you to be honest to do your best too!

gloriagoldenrod of OR 2:25AM June 20, 2010

As my boss, you ask for my time and energy, often at the expense of the other people in my life. You expect me to work on weekends, holidays, days off and also to be on call whenever you want me and often at the drop of a hat. I miss the important things in my life like funerals, graduations, doctor's appointments and others, just because you want me to work so YOU can get the profit. You tell me I can't work for anyone else part-time without your approval, yet you don't pay me enough to live on and then I am expected not to complain when we have wage freezes and don't get raises, even when the CEO walks out with his million dollar golden parachute. You refuse to pay for benefits and then wonder why I am sick or unable to work without pain or have to take time off because I cannot afford necessary medications.
You have cameras watching me and my coworkers constantly, giving us the impression you don't trust us. We are often the most important person in the business as we are often the first ones that meet the public and give them their initial impression of the company, yet we are always the lowest paid employees and made to feel like we contribute nothing. When we find a company that's loyal to the employees, we tend to be loyal to the company, but over and over, we find the company would rather invest their time and money in continuously hiring and training new employees instead of taking care of the ones they have, and then you wonder why there is always such a constant turnover. And after all that, when we work in an at will state, you fire us and don't even have the courtesy to tell us why.

Kelly of WA 11:15PM June 18, 2010