First day as the new boss

[GirlySports]

Congrats! It will be a great opportunity, don't be afraid.

I'm a manager these are my tips for you. But first a question.

Are you leading mostly men or women (yes it makes a difference).

1. Open door policy, be approachable. But business only. Your office is not a dumping ground for people's problems, you're not a garbage can. If someone comes in you don't want to talk to or are overstaying. "Sorry, I've got a meeting." is the easiest out. Small personal talk is done elsewhere (see #3)

2. Solve conflicts immediately. There's nothing worse than conflict-avoidance managers. Things just get worse. Employee conflicts do not solve themselves no matter how much you hope they do.

3. Take each staff out for coffee and chat away from the office at least once a month. Take some interest in their personal life and help them. Especially if they are young people. Are there career advancement opportunities? Is there something negative going on a home that programs at work could help with. And once per quarter, I take the team out for lunch to celebrate. These are small things that staff really appreciate and go a long way.

3a: Because people will talk and whisper behind your back. "He doesn't care, he never talks to us, he's making big bucks and won't give us anything." Just that one coffee a month plus chit-chat puts all this to rest.

3b: from up thread, I think checking in once a day is a bit much, manager should be really busy. And some people hate it and just want to be left alone. Open door for people who like to chat, but within reason, and monthly coffee is my style.

4. Know your staff! Back to men and women. If there is an imbalance, make sure the minority is not dominated. Make sure you know who is introvert and extrovert. Make sure you know who can learn by telling and who can learn by showing. HR may already have this information available to you. If not, do some activities. Once a quarter, I do these type of activities/games for the team. Last one we did was Christmas 2019, made Gingerbread houses. One team had to make the most detailed oriented house and one team had to make the most messy one.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

1. Open door policy, be approachable. But business only. Your office is not a dumping ground for people's problems, you're not a garbage can. If someone comes in you don't want to talk to or are overstaying. "Sorry, I've got a meeting." is the easiest out. Small personal talk is done elsewhere (see #3)

I'm not sure I agree, if the door is open it is open.

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

I'm not sure I agree, if the door is open it is open.

It's open for business, not to talk about your entire weekend. It still is a workplace.

[PepsiFree]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

It's open for business, not to talk about your entire weekend. It still is a workplace.

Then that’s not an open door policy or being approachable, that’s literally just a boss being willing to talk about work, which is a function of the job.

[GirlySports]

A few minutes is ok. But if people constantly walking in to talk personal stuff for long periods of time, and people can hear? That's not good. And I don't want to shut the door unless it's confidential. And my work area is small. From my office door to the first cubicle is about 10 feet.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

It's open for business, not to talk about your entire weekend. It still is a workplace.

You either have time for your people when they need you or you don't.

I've bumped meetings to be available for my people. I can't always do it, but when I can I make sure I do it so they know I am there if needed.

If you aren't micromanaging your employees and have built a relationship that they only come to you when they need you, you need to make every effort to be available when they need you.

How they perform at work is wrapped up in things outside work as well.

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

You either have time for your people when they need you or you don't.

I've bumped meetings to be available for my people. I can't always do it, but when I can I make sure I do it so they know I am there if needed.

If you aren't micromanaging your employees and have built a relationship that they only come to you when they need you, you need to make every effort to be available when they need you.

How they perform at work is wrapped up in things outside work as well.

Of course, if it's serious, we'll book meeting time. But 90% of the time, it can turn into 30 minutes of why Gaudreau sucks.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

Of course, if it's serious, we'll book meeting time. But 90% of the time, it can turn into 30 minutes of why Gaudreau sucks.

and?

One of my best guys wanted, hell I think he needed, to talk about him buying a vehicle at least 2-3 times a week. It took him 11 months to finally pull the trigger on the damn thing.

Nothing related to it was work related, but that time spent with him was what he needed.

Who cares, that part of the role.

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

and?

One of my best guys wanted, hell I think he needed, to talk about him buying a vehicle at least 2-3 times a week. It took him 11 months to finally pull the trigger on the damn thing.

Nothing related to it was work related, but that time spent with him was what he needed.

Who cares, that part of the role.

Interesting. I wish I could. I think another point would be how big/small is the company or the culture Ruttiger is walking to. There's no way I could do that, as much as I want to. We're watched like hawks, by everyone. upper management, lateral manager to you, and employees. There's too much whispering and gossip. It really depends on your boss and the company culture.

[Jason14h]

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

and?

One of my best guys wanted, hell I think he needed, to talk about him buying a vehicle at least 2-3 times a week. It took him 11 months to finally pull the trigger on the damn thing.

Nothing related to it was work related, but that time spent with him was what he needed.

Who cares, that part of the role.

You must have a lot of time on your hands as the boss that you can walk someone through buying a vehicle for 11 months.

Do you work for the government

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

Interesting. I wish I could. I think another point would be how big/small is the company or the culture Ruttiger is walking to. There's no way I could do that, as much as I want to. We're watched like hawks, by everyone. upper management, lateral manager to you, and employees. There's too much whispering and gossip. It really depends on your boss and the company culture.

Your work place sounds $hit

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by Jason14h

You must have a lot of time on your hands as the boss that you can walk someone through buying a vehicle for 11 months.

Do you work for the government

Sadly no I don't have a lot of time nor do I work for the government.

But the time spent with him paid for itself in many other ways.

[2ArmBands]

This thread has proven to be an interesting read. I think its pretty obvious that there are some generational gaps with the posters in this thread and not shockingly there are gaps in management styles.

I'm certain you could find some parallels between age and those who are pro "small talk" and "open door" vs the others.

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

Your work place sounds $hit

Originally Posted by 2ArmBands

This thread has proven to be an interesting read. I think its pretty obvious that there are some generational gaps with the posters in this thread and not shockingly there are gaps in management styles.

I'm certain you could find some parallels between age and those who are pro "small talk" and "open door" vs the others.

Yes. It's all about culture. I'm 42. And my boss is just a bit older than me. But the executive is ancient and conservative. Still suit and tie, solid work hours, big brother et cetera. My staff are quite young, some it's their first job, and I teach them as much as I can about the workplace good and bad and within the boundaries. But people suck. Some of the things that happen are just eyerolling.

[Sliver]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

Yes. It's all about culture. I'm 42. And my boss is just a bit older than me. But the executive is ancient and conservative. Still suit and tie, solid work hours, big brother et cetera. My staff are quite young, some it's their first job, and I teach them as much as I can about the workplace good and bad and within the boundaries. But people suck. Some of the things that happen are just eyerolling.

There should be training to employees on what is reasonable to come to a boss with. At the end of the day we pay you for your time and efforts. If it was fun you'd do it for free. I can't make you happy if your unhappiness comes from just doing the basics of your job and/or your personal life is a wreck. Just fataing come in, work and go home without manufacturing drama or crying in my office. I hate it here, too. Anybody who likes to work is weird. Get your satisfaction from life outside of work.

Speaking in general terms.

Edit: quoted you GS, but reply doesn't really match your post. sorry

[keratosis]

Originally Posted by Sliver

If it was fun you'd do it for free.

Nope. I want to be paid, fun or not.

Sent from my SM-A715W using Tapatalk

[2ArmBands]

Originally Posted by Sliver

There should be training to employees on what is reasonable to come to a boss with. At the end of the day we pay you for your time and efforts. If it was fun you'd do it for free. I can't make you happy if your unhappiness comes from just doing the basics of your job and/or your personal life is a wreck. Just fataing come in, work and go home without manufacturing drama or crying in my office. I hate it here, too. Anybody who likes to work is weird. Get your satisfaction from life outside of work.

Speaking in general terms.

Edit: quoted you GS, but reply doesn't really match your post. sorry

I’ve read a few of your posts in this thread and based on your posting history I get your usual play is to over dramatize everything to push your narrative. Your posts have some great drops like “I’m a big fish in a small pond” … you refer to management as “we” those under you as “they” clearly defining the line in the sand.

A lot of time has passed and I think you’ll find that things are passing you by. Might be time to consider being a bit more progressive. Assuming you’ve been an owner or senior manager for a long time in a “small pond” makes a guy wonder why the pond is still small.

[Sliver]

Originally Posted by 2ArmBands

I’ve read a few of your posts in this thread and based on your posting history I get your usual play is to over dramatize everything to push your narrative. Your posts have some great drops like “I’m a big fish in a small pond” … you refer to management as “we” those under you as “they” clearly defining the line in the sand.

A lot of time has passed and I think you’ll find that things are passing you by. Might be time to consider being a bit more progressive. Assuming you’ve been an owner or senior manager for a long time in a “small pond” makes a guy wonder why the pond is still small.

I guess it has been a while. Owned my business for over 15 years. I like a small pond. I'm not a careerist. I don't get excited by growing a business. What makes me happy is being home for supper with my family every night. It makes me happy to not work on weekends. I love that my kids can call me anytime of the work day if they need me and I can drop everything and help them. If my wife needs me, I'm there.

I like that I never miss a wing night with my friends because I had to work late. I like how much money I make and don't feel the need to squeeze my people harder just to tack on an extra 5% to my net. I like paying my people a bonus, giving them paid days off when it's too hot to be working like it was three weeks ago. I felt good when I brought in medical and dental benefits for them.

I like when I go out with friends that I don't talk about work because I have more important things going on in my life and talking and hearing about work is soooooo boring.

So yeah, why haven't I grown larger? I don't want to. My energy goes into my family and friends and I leave work at work. If it can't be done in 8 hours, I don't want to do it. I turn down jobs all the time because I don't want to get bigger to handle them. I could get richer financially and show off my big business, but I don't want to invite more work stress into my life.

I think working for me my people understand that I extend the same respect to their personal lives that I do to mine. I want them home on weekends enjoying life. I want them home for supper at night. If it's slow and I'm going to let the office people go early, I put my name in the hat along side theirs and pull it out to see who's going home early (paid, of course). I always fataing lose for some reason, but I don't elevate myself above them. They are just as valuable as people as me. I'm not better, and I'm not smarter. Life just cruised along and through a series of events out of all of our control probably going back generations led to me owning the place and being their boss, but first and foremost we are all just people that work at the same place.

[2ArmBands]

Originally Posted by Sliver

I guess it has been a while. Owned my business for over 15 years. I like a small pond. I'm not a careerist. I don't get excited by growing a business. What makes me happy is being home for supper with my family every night. It makes me happy to not work on weekends. I love that my kids can call me anytime of the work day if they need me and I can drop everything and help them. If my wife needs me, I'm there.

I like that I never miss a wing night with my friends because I had to work late. I like how much money I make and don't feel the need to squeeze my people harder just to tack on an extra 5% to my net. I like paying my people a bonus, giving them paid days off when it's too hot to be working like it was three weeks ago. I felt good when I brought in medical and dental benefits for them.

I like when I go out with friends that I don't talk about work because I have more important things going on in my life and talking and hearing about work is soooooo boring.

So yeah, why haven't I grown larger? I don't want to. My energy goes into my family and friends and I leave work at work. If it can't be done in 8 hours, I don't want to do it. I turn down jobs all the time because I don't want to get bigger to handle them. I could get richer financially and show off my big business, but I don't want to invite more work stress into my life.

I think working for me my people understand that I extend the same respect to their personal lives that I do to mine. I want them home on weekends enjoying life. I want them home for supper at night. If it's slow and I'm going to let the office people go early, I put my name in the hat along side theirs and pull it out to see who's going home early (paid, of course). I always fataing lose for some reason, but I don't elevate myself above them. They are just as valuable as people as me. I'm not better, and I'm not smarter. Life just cruised along and through a series of events out of all of our control probably going back generations led to me owning the place and being their boss, but first and foremost we are all just people that work at the same place.

To be honest I had you pegged as the exact opposite to your post above. I would of guessed over working your employees, paying yourself handsomely, not caring about people’s problems etc… I based this purely on how dismissive you were to other management styles and assumed you were a “my way or highway” type.

The only thing I would like to challenge about your post is this. Just because someone is driven by career/business growth doesn’t necessarily mean they need to sacrifice their work/life balance to do so. It also doesn’t mean that they are out for profits and to squeeze their employees or treat them poorly. In many cases I think people love to see themselves play a role in their coworkers growth. It might be monetary or not. Some might say that in itself is selfish but I view it as win-win.

[Galakanokis]

The work side of being a boss/manager is easy enough but the personal side really sucks. A week into my management role one of my techs had his wife kidnap his kid and attempted suicide. And two weeks after that another tech had his son (excellent little hockey player) get a staph infection and be hospitalized with them almost having to amputate the kids leg. I was 28 at the time and had no idea how to deal with that #### when they kept coming to talk. Got through it but I was much happier working at the bench fixing things.

Hope your promotion goes much smoother.