Only Bad Managers Say These Things

Bad managers are a leading cause of employee turnover. It makes sense. Employees spend most of their working hours alongside their managers, often in close proximity. If these working relationships are strained, it can put enormous stress on the employees. Here are a few sayings you'll hear from bad managers.

"That Sounds Like a Personal Problem."

Bad managers fail to realize that employees are people too, and that work does not encompass their whole lives. In contrast, a good manager is compassionate and makes room for employees' problems, making a point of getting to know employees on a personal level. A manager that is sensitive and responsive to employee needs makes employees feel safe and valued at work.

"I Didn't Ask For Your Opinion."

A bad manager doesn't allow feedback from his employees, or doesn't value the feedback he is given. Listening to and hearing employees is an extremely important trait for any decent manager, because employees need to feel that their opinions are valued. Receiving feedback and incorporating that feedback into business decisions goes a long way in building employees' trust and respect while making them feel empowered and involved.

"If You Mess This Up, You're Taking the Blame."

A classic trait of a bad manager is avoiding responsibility at all costs. When a client is lost or a big project falls through, a bad manager blames his employees. This leads to distrust between employees and managers and a bad working relationship overall. A good manager knows that his team's success or failure is a reflection on his own management capability, and taking responsibility for his own part helps employees trust and respect him.

"Sally Does a Better Job."

Treating some employees better than others is a surefire way to cause rifts in the workplace. Bad managers make it known who their favorites and least-favorites are, either directly or indirectly. Favoritism in the workplace can destroy employee morale and have a negative effect on performance and productivity. A great manager treats each and every employee with respect.

"That's Our Policy. There is Nothing I Can Do."

A bad manager might tell an employee to suck it up when it comes to corporate policy. However, if a policy doesn't make a lot of sense or causes confusion or disruption among employees, it is worth re-examining. Policies are not written in stone, and employees rely on their managers to be their advocates with higher executives who can enact change within the organization.

Managing employees is no easy task. It is a learned skill that requires quick thinking, sensitivity and top-notch communication skills; with great power also comes great responsibility. Bad managers can cause wide ripples of distrust and diminished morale, so it's important to recognize the signs of bad management so potential problems can be eradicated before good employees jump ship.

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