DDI and Badbossology.com (that’s actually a real site) did a survey of 900+ employees to determine the worst (and best) qualities of a manager. And, the survey says:
A bad manager:
- Tries too hard to be everyone’s friend
- Micromanages
- Ignores conflict
- Arrogant
- Wishy-washy
- Impulsive
- Unable to delegate
- Impatient
- Stubborn
- Unprofessional
You’ll have to read the article as written up on CNN.com to find out the best qualities and to take the quick “how good a boss are you?” survey.
It’s easy to dismiss this stuff as just for fun – but when you consider that employees often leave jobs due in whole or in part to their relationship with their managers, this kind of thing takes on real meaning. And it’s also fun.
October 18th, 2006 at 3:41 pm
Not sure why, but this reminds me of the “Top 100 Most Influential People Who NEVER Lived” list that I heard on the radio this morning (Marlboro Man, Santa Claus, and Scareltt O’harra among the top picks). My top picks for the worst bosses who Never lived are:
(With the exception of perhaps Charlie, I think all of these bosses had at least one employee quit or be fired, and then get rehired.)
Mr. Slate – Not sure what he did to upset Fred so often, but it must’ve been bad. “RickaFrackaBrickaRackaFreakaRacka.â€
Mr. Grant – Drinking whiskey at noon, and barking at your employees all day?
Mr. Dithers – After 15+ years, why is Homer Simpson still on the payroll? One must question Dither’s management capabilities.
Mel Sharples – “Stow it, dingbat.†Is this any way to speak to your employees?
Charlie – “Once upon a time there were three beautiful girls who went to the police academy, and they were each assigned very hazardous duties. But I took them away from all that and now they work for me. My name is Charlie.†The whole idea of three women working for this invisible Big Brother was altogether creepy.
Marcia Brady – Who would fire her own brother, no matter how incompetently he was scooping ice cream?
December 17th, 2006 at 1:49 pm
The sins of ours bosses were created by their bosses. It is the corporate top echelon that more than often is responsible for the “idiots” and nincompoops that they hire or promote. Jerome Alexander unmasks this conspiracy in his thin volume of common sense “160 Degrees of Deviation.” This is a great read!