Oh the insights about management styles I'm getting as I travel the south island. Here are a handful I've heard in casual conversation. I'm sure they're not just a South Island thing.
Oh I wish you could chat to my boss. He thinks anything that goes wrong is my fault and can't see that he sets the problems up. And that mindfulness training. Doesn't change a thing around here.
Im planning a holiday with my partner, asked my boss what days would suit in the next two months for my leave so we could arrange the time together. My boss said you'll have 4 days leave starting tomorrow. When I said that wasn't enough notice for my partner, my boss said tough. Four staff have already left this month and I'm looking elsewhere. The boss just thinks we're slack workers.
My work schedule comes out Sunday night for the week starting the next day. A couple of months ago I was scheduled to start 2 pm Monday. Overnight it was changed to a 9 am start. I got phoned at 9.15 am asking why I wasn't at work. Was told I'd lose my job if I didn't keep up with the game. I think that's what it is to them. A game.
No matter what I do, how hard I work my boss says nothing complementary to me. Always finds fault. I could cope with her criticism if she should at least could see somethings I do well. Sometimes the only fault she can find is that I've missed some hairs when shaving.
I'm really enjoying working with my boss. He's fun, encouraging, guides us to improve things, and asks for our suggestions. Wish my contract wasn't finishing so I could stay here for longer.
My boss phoned on my day off asking me to cover for someone sick. When I said I could there in 3 hours, she went off her nutter and said I needed to be there in 30 minutes or I 'd lose my job.
Staff just need good pay and clear instructions. This well-being stuff is a distraction.
Now there's always multiple sides to a story, but if this is a representation of life for employees there's a lot of room for improvement. And I wonder what's going on for these leaders/employers that leads to these styles.
The way you lead yourself impacts others. Whether it's how you are as a parent, partner or leader at work.
I wonder if the leaders in these examples are aware of the impact they have or how they're being received.
Becoming aware of what drives you, what makes you tick or motivates you can assist with how you come across to others, the team dynamics you work in and your life in general
Some people are so unaware of their "stuff" they're unaware of their impact; some cling to their self perception to feel better about themselves; some don't know a different way, are too scared to look inward; some honestly don't know any differently; some see their employees as threats, and some that pointing out perceived flaws is a way to motivate staff.
And its not just employers. Employees have their own issues contributing to how they interpret their leaders.
We're complex beings and simple at the same time.
A common theme from these people is that the mindfulness/wellbeing training hasn't helped shift things.
Yes, when given lip service they can be a "tick the box move on" exercise. Jo and I prefer to explore deeper with people in our offerings. To look at what's driving these ways of being, support, transforming them and then explore how to maintain these transformations. Feel free to reach out to explore how this could be of assistance to you or your workplace.