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Don't you love new managers who treat people as equals?

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AlimNassor

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It's usually the happiest day of your retail life when that new manager is really friendly. We got a new manager, and he's shockingly good, always friendly and even hangs out in the breakroom talking to associates. Never barking orders, always giving clear goals and treating his underlings as people not tools. Of course that won't last, they all start off nice and then turn into assholes. But we're hoping for once we get someone who treats everyone with respect. ;-;
 
AlimNassor said:
It's usually the happiest day of your retail life when that new manager is really friendly. We got a new manager, and he's shockingly good, always friendly and even hangs out in the breakroom talking to associates. Never barking orders, always giving clear goals and treating his underlings as people not tools. Of course that won't last, they all start off nice and then turn into assholes. But we're hoping for once we get someone who treats everyone with respect. ;-;
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A good portion of retail rank and file workers will turn the average manager into an asshole eventually.
 
AlimNassor said:
It's usually the happiest day of your retail life when that new manager is really friendly. We got a new manager, and he's shockingly good, always friendly and even hangs out in the breakroom talking to associates. Never barking orders, always giving clear goals and treating his underlings as people not tools. Of course that won't last, they all start off nice and then turn into assholes. But we're hoping for once we get someone who treats everyone with respect. ;-;
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Sounds like he is the chosen one :')
 
I need to temp manager for a month while our manager goes on holiday. Let's hope I don't turn into a cunt.
 
As long as the team gets the job done he can stay that way. If not he'll turn into an asshole to get things done.
 
Managerial positions are tough and having to deal with people who generally don't want to be there or half ass their duties is going to wear the people in those positions down. It happens everywhere. It's too bad, they're trying, but when Becky keeps coming in late for days on end because, "she needs to take her baby to daycare and the traffic is bad" and Brad won't stop stealing the popsicles from the freezer, someone has to be the bad guy.

And no one likes being the bad guy, thus this new manager will turn into an asshole.

Just gotta cut him some slack when he does and try to keep the conversation as real as possible. Having him know that he doesn't have to expect bullshit when you have a dialogue is important.
 
Nephtis said:
Wait, so the manager that was gonna fire you left and now you've a new manager?
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No? The store manager is still here. We usually have 2 asst managers for every "zone". A few months ago one of the managers overseeeing hardlines was transferred somewhere else. We recently over the weekend got a new manager.

Mesoian said:
Managerial positions are tough and having to deal with people who generally don't want to be there or half ass their duties is going to wear the people in those positions down. It happens everywhere. It's too bad, they're trying, but when Becky keeps coming in late for days on end because, "she needs to take her baby to daycare and the traffic is bad" and Brad won't stop stealing the popsicles from the freezer, someone has to be the bad guy.

And no one likes being the bad guy, thus this new manager will turn into an asshole.

Just gotta cut him some slack when he does and try to keep the conversation as real as possible. Having him know that he doesn't have to expect bullshit when you have a dialogue is important.
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They're tough but it's not like you need to start treating your useful associates like dirt. the useless ones deserve to be scorned. I know I have to deal with a useless associate. I'm generally friendly to everyone, except him.
 
I'm a Manager. Been one for 4 years. Everyone loves me because I'm a swell guy. Most of our Managers are swell people. They have their off days but normally they treat everyone with respect and the way I see it I'm no better than these people because I get a slightly higher pay grade, they have just as much significance and purpose on this planet as I do in and outside of work. Why ruin a part of their lives to fuel my misguided egotism and sense of importance?

Is getting another job out of the question? Assholes in every line of work I suppose.
 
As long as you guys work with the dude, then he'll stay human.

If he perceives himself to be working harder than you guys, he's going to turn bitter and angry.

Of course, given that you've made it clear that there's at least one self-interested jack hole in the team, this temporary reality is unlikely to stay real for long.

I suggest proactive self reporting of what you've done throughout the day.

But really, it's all too much effort. They don't pay you suckers enough for that shit.
 
new managers are like children, it's important to let them know early on that they can't have everything they want. You have to be firm with them.
 
Pandaman said:
new managers are like children, it's important to let them know early on that they can't have everything they want. You have to be firm with them.
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Yes, when I got a new manager I made go into a corner and take a timeout on his first day.
 
The best thing about it is, the guy is a huuuuge fan of the souls series and video games. Now I have someone to talk too. Also he hates retail too, he sympathizes with us retail slaves. Working hard, little pay, no respect. But once you go manager you don't go back, you're there for life or as he says "you're fucked".

Spirit3 said:
I'm a Manager. Been one for 4 years. Everyone loves me because I'm a swell guy. Most of our Managers are swell people. They have their off days but normally they treat everyone with respect and the way I see it I'm no better than these people because I get a slightly higher pay grade, they have just as much significance and purpose on this planet as I do in and outside of work. Why ruin a part of their lives to fuel my misguided egotism and sense of importance?

Is getting another job out of the question? Assholes in every line of work I suppose.
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That's what I've always used. No need to treat people like assholes. Just cause I'm head of a department don't make me better. Sadly many don't think that way and let the power or stress go to their head.
 
Zaptruder said:
As long as you guys work with the dude, then he'll stay human.

If he perceives himself to be working harder than you guys, he's going to turn bitter and angry.

[/spoiler]
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Hahah. This is the opposite for me. I know I work harder than any one individual in my store (except for the store manager) and this shows in the amount of days I'm owed but I couldn't really be fussed that I don't perceive others as performing to my high standards because even I can be realistic in saying I work at a level that is highly unrealistic. I just let people do their thing and appreciate anything they can accomplish.
 
AlimNassor said:
The best thing about it is, the guy is a huuuuge fan of the souls series and video games. Now I have someone to talk too.



That's what I've always used. No need to treat people like assholes. Just cause I'm head of a department don't make me better. Sadly many don't think that way and let the power or stress go to their head.
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The other side of the equation is true too. People feel some bit of jealousy or contempt for a manager because they perceive them as feeling superior merely because of their position. Sadly, many let the stress or insecurity or desire to rage against the machine get to their heads.

When we're talking in general, there are no good guys. Everyone in retail sucks. Obviously at a specific level there are lots of great retail staff and managers.

But even you are starting with a prejudice against him/her based on what you said in the OP. Never a good way to start if you're wanting positive results. And if you're posting this on GAF I imagine there's some amount of your peers (perhaps yourself included) that are repeating this trope of the inevitable asshole manager. Self-fulfilling prophecy much?
 
Spirit3 said:
I'm a Manager. Been one for 4 years. Everyone loves me because I'm a swell guy. Most of our Managers are swell people. They have their off days but normally they treat everyone with respect and the way I see it I'm no better than these people because I get a slightly higher pay grade, they have just as much significance and purpose on this planet as I do in and outside of work. Why ruin a part of their lives to fuel my misguided egotism and sense of importance?

Is getting another job out of the question? Assholes in every line of work I suppose.
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Good post. I feel the same as well. Treat everyone as equal.
 
It's nice to a point, but I notice that when the time comes, managers that are real easy on you are usually not managers that will go to bat for you. Some people seem very nice but are actually just very friction-averse, and you can't really count on them to have your back.

I prefer managers that have some manner of respect or appreciation for my skill set, but are still clearly my manager.
 
Hmm, it is all nice and well if a manager can mingle/relate with the staff but in the end a manager needs manage and that can involve enforcing rules, diciplinary actions and yes even "barking" orders. Some people have trouble dealing with that because often when the boss is also a friend they forget that line at work and get upset when strings get tightend. The most extreme case I had was a when I was still in the military , Had I good drinking buddy and we had good times, in the hallway at work it was saulting the captain time :p

I just ask from my managers to always approach me as an adult and not a 3 year old, I cannot stand being talked down too. If I make a mistake tell me /point it out but do not patronize me.

edit: or what adol said ^^^
 
Good managers in any organization are great and will make a lasting, positive effect on your career. But, it's also worth remembering, almost no bad managers go to work wanting to be a bad manager; maybe there's something they lack, some bad guidance that they received, or they're in a position that they shouldn't be in but have to do it for one reason or another. Everybody's got some struggle they're going through.
 
AlimNassor said:
No? The store manager is still here. We usually have 2 asst managers for every "zone". A few months ago one of the managers overseeeing hardlines was transferred somewhere else. We recently over the weekend got a new manager.
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Ahhh, that makes sense. I'm glad this manager seems to be pretty cool from what I'm reading. It could just be he's getting a general sense of people (who is a good worker and all) before going into asshole mode not because he wants to but because he must. :)

AlexMogil said:
That's impressive. Do you keep notes on people?
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I hope that was sarcasm, because that thread was fairly recent o.O
 
When I used to work for Radio Shack, the manager there was a super cool guy. Everyone loved working there. The only reason I left was because it conflict with my schedule at the time and because the pay wasn't too good. It was a combination of a base pay and commission based pay.
 
The managers who try to be buddy buddy with everyone a lot of times are the worst.. they let way to much slip.. which in turn causes other problems.. and when those explode they suck.
Also, they tend to get info on things they don't want to know (drug use, stealing, etc) and employees put them in this situations because they think "oh, that manager, he's cool.. don't worry".

I say that as someone who manages a group of managers.

I coach people that you can't be their friends. Be friendly, but you aren't their friend.
 
I'm a manager and while being nice to people sounds like a good idea, it erodes the structure of discipline. In fact, sometimes, even when everything is going ok, I will remind staff of their place at the bottom of the totem pole:

a) to maintain discipline, order and hierarchy.
b) to remind them they are a long way from the top and thus incent them to work harder


IMO it's dangerous to let low level and junior staff behave as equals or even directly interact with management unless absolutely necessary.
 
NervousXtian said:
The managers who try to be buddy buddy with everyone a lot of times are the worst.. they let way to much slip.. which in turn causes other problems.. and when those explode they suck.
Also, they tend to get info on things they don't want to know (drug use, stealing, etc) and employees put them in this situations because they think "oh, that manager, he's cool.. don't worry".

I say that as someone who manages a group of managers.

I coach people that you can't be their friends. Be friendly, but you aren't their friend.
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This is truth, However I find more and more that managers think the title means they have all knowledge, which is often false. You are a manager so manage your resources including the people with the skills and knowledge and trust they have your back as you have theirs.
I hate those bosses that have no clue and make you do stuff their way (the wrong way) and then afterwards bitch why shit does not run well.
 
Yeah, it's nice. My current manager seems to be on a fucking power trip. I somehow managed to take him down a peg or two yesterday without being fired.
 
AlimNassor said:
It's usually the happiest day of your retail life when that new manager is really friendly. We got a new manager, and he's shockingly good, always friendly and even hangs out in the breakroom talking to associates. Never barking orders, always giving clear goals and treating his underlings as people not tools. Of course that won't last, they all start off nice and then turn into assholes. But we're hoping for once we get someone who treats everyone with respect. ;-;
Click to expand...

Enjoy it while it lasts. These kind of managers usually don't last long. People will run over him, numbers will fall, and he'll be replaced.
 
I just got chosen to go into the Manager in Training program, after 6 months of that, I'll get my own store to run. Its a huge pay bump (double), so hopefully I won't be too much of an asshole. But you kind of have to be I think. The bottom line is everything. Just being an Asst. Man. is stressful enough.
 
Stinkles said:
I'm a manager and while being nice to people sounds like a good idea, it erodes the structure of discipline. In fact, sometimes, even when everything is going ok, I will remind staff of their place at the bottom of the totem pole:

a) to maintain discipline, order and hierarchy.
b) to remind them they are a long way from the top and thus incent them to work harder


IMO it's dangerous to let low level and junior staff behave as equals or even directly interact with management unless absolutely necessary.
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This is fantastic. I needed the laugh.
 
Saganator said:
Enjoy it while it lasts. These kind of managers usually don't last long. People will run over him, numbers will fall, and he'll be replaced.
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This is what my boss says to me. She learned quickly when she started you can't be nice. Things start to slide and then shit comes down on your head from above. Bonuses get missed out on, audit start looking sloppy.....etc.

Gotta bring the hammer.
 
Stinkles said:
I'm a manager and while being nice to people sounds like a good idea, it erodes the structure of discipline. In fact, sometimes, even when everything is going ok, I will remind staff of their place at the bottom of the totem pole:

a) to maintain discipline, order and hierarchy.
b) to remind them they are a long way from the top and thus incent them to work harder


IMO it's dangerous to let low level and junior staff behave as equals or even directly interact with management unless absolutely necessary.
Click to expand...

Depends on what kind of discipline structure you want to enact. I don't agree about low level and junior staff not interacting with management. Sounds like a hostile environment for the creative process. That's just my opinion, though.
 
E92 M3 said:
Depends on what kind of discipline structure you want to enact. I don't agree about low level and junior staff not interacting with management. Sounds like a hostile environment for the creative process. That's just my opinion, though.
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I worked for the government, where it is impossible to fire somebody. If you are a good employee, the management will just ignore you, if you are bad, being an asshole is the only weapon they had.
 
E92 M3 said:
Depends on what kind of discipline structure you want to enact. I don't agree about low level and junior staff not interacting with management. Sounds like a hostile environment for the creative process. That's just my opinion, though.
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If you have a creative process, I can see that. Lots of places don't though.
 
EatChildren said:
I need to temp manager for a month while our manager goes on holiday. Let's hope I don't turn into a cunt.
Click to expand...

alreadydead.jpg
 
Stinkles said:
I'm a manager and while being nice to people sounds like a good idea, it erodes the structure of discipline. In fact, sometimes, even when everything is going ok, I will remind staff of their place at the bottom of the totem pole:

a) to maintain discipline, order and hierarchy.
b) to remind them they are a long way from the top and thus incent them to work harder


IMO it's dangerous to let low level and junior staff behave as equals or even directly interact with management unless absolutely necessary.
Click to expand...

I maintain these principles myself. Don't ever look junior staff in the eye. Always talk to their foreheads. Don't make them feel needed and they'll become the best employees they can be.
 
I had a couple great managers in retail when I was in high school/college. Legitimate mentors and damn fine people.

Unfortunately I've also had some hard-ass ones that either loved the power they possessed or were burdened by the weight of an even worse district manager threatening to can their asses if they didn't maintain numbers.
Sadly, in most retail jobs run by large companies stats and up-selling trump customer service... and many managers simply don't know how to appease the higher ups while also maintaining good morale in the 'trenches'.
 
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