Things Bad Managers Do

June 7, 2010

Expansion stage companies are just that — expanding! This means that many management teams of companies seeking venture funding are relatively new to managing people. Whether you are new to management or a veteran, I thought you could benefit from the following thoughts on what Bad Managers Do.

Cyndi Maxey, a Certified Professional Speaker, explains, “Managers are busy people. Every day brings new challenges and not enough hours to accomplish what’s needed. But no matter how busy they are, best managers make time for their personnel. Indeed, a manager’s style figures more heavily than anything else into keeping employees productive and loyal. According to a management researcher Chandra Louise, 80% of the employees who quit their jobs do so because of problems with their bosses. While they may give the human resources staff other reasons for quitting, they will tell their friends, ‘I’d still be there even for that pittance of a salary if it weren’t for that awful boss.’ ”

Maxey goes on to list the following ten actions will clarify what awful bosses do.

1. Embarrass employees in public.
2. Don’t follow up on employee ideas.

3. Withhold praise.
4. Ignore professional growth needs.
5. Demand unrealistic rules of order.

6. Are vague and indirect.
7. Show you don’t care.
8. Be all-knowing all the time.
9. Ignore individual differences.
10. Never say you’re sorry or wrong.
This list of “don’t dos” is anchored in employees’ actual workplace experiences. Proceed with caution. If you manage your employees with consistent use of these ten actions, you’ll eventually find yourself in a very peaceful, quiet workplace. Why? Because you’ll be all alone!

SVP Marketing & Sales

<strong>Brian Zimmerman</strong> was a Partner at OpenView from 2006 until 2014. While at OpenView he worked with our portfolio executive teams to deliver the highest impact value-add consulting services, primarily focused on go-to-market strategies. Brian is currently the Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing at <a href="http://www.5nine.com/">5Nine Software</a>.