It can be easy to take certain things about your coworkers and employees for granted. There is a clip in Mad Men when the boss is getting angry with an employee because she was looking for a little more recognition and thanks than what is the norm. The boss, rightly or wrongly, says that the money should be thanks enough.
I’ve seen people take both sides when watching this clip. And that kind of makes sense. I think the clip effectively shows the disconnect that can occur in a working relationship. It’s nearly impossible to even a great working relationship with someone over a long period of time.
If you’re looking at where your blindspots may be here are some things to consider.
1. They Don’t See Your Every Flaw
Some bosses have a little bit of imposter syndrome. Maybe they were great in their role to the point where they kept getting promotions until they entered management. But that made them uncomfortable because they weren’t used to being the boss. They feel like an imposter.
This can lead to feelings that the team thinks that you’re not good enough. That every time you make a decision and it doesn’t work out that you’re a fraud.
But usually the team is busy with other things. Sure, they notice once in awhile your idiosyncrasies and things like that. They notice your one or two failures. But most often they aren’t focusing on them as much as you.
Usually we are our own worst critics.
2. They Can’t Read Your Mind
Bosses are busy. They get caught up in what they’re doing. They get immersed in what they’re doing. This is good and bad. The bad side, for one, is that they often think that others can read their minds. They spend so much time thinking about certain things that they feel it’s common knowledge.
Be more forthcoming with your employees about what you’re thinking about. Tell them what you expect from them. Don’t just think it to yourself and then get angry when they don’t follow through. How could they if they don’t know? Really make sure you’re clear with what’s most important with the operation of the business. Over-communicate.
3. They Probably Like You More Than You Think
This builds on the first point, but I think it’s good to bring out into its own. You are your own worst critic in all likelihood. There is a very good chance that most, if not all, of your employees likes you. Maybe not to the point of being best friends or even friends. But they likely respect you and like you as a person.
Unless you’re holding someone back or preventing them from doing their job they probably like you well enough. They probably want to do good work for you and the company. It’s good to start from this point of view when thinking about things like performance and actions of employees.
4. They Yearn For Compliments
Back to the scene from Mad Men. Compliments go a long way. There was a Harvard study where they found that positive reinforcement is much more important than negative feedback. From folks I’ve spoken with, positive feedback can be even more important than money.
People want to work where they are appreciated. It makes them feel good. It makes them want to do better. It makes them want to help others.
I think bosses know this, but it’s easy to take people for granted. And oddly, it can be even easier to take great people for granted.
Tell them that they’re doing a good job. Even if you feel that you’re over-telling them.
5. Their Social Lives Are Probably Like Yours
You’re the boss. You’re busy with work. You’re busy with a lot of things. You probably don’t have time for much outside of work. And even if you have a hobby or two you may listen to each of your employees talking about their own hobbies. It can seem sometimes that you’re missing out.
But the truth is that any individual person probably has a social life much like yours. They have one or two hobbies. They spend plenty of time reading and watching TV. They have one or two close friends they talk to most often.
6. They Are Probably Exhausted
You may think that you’re the most exhausted in the building. But look at each person as if they are also exhausted. They’re probably putting in lots of work for you and the company. They’re doing what you ask. You may not even realize how much you’re putting on their plate.
Consider how impactful it would be if you sat down with each person and discussed what is currently on their to-do list. Also consider how impactful it would be if you removed one or two items, at least, from those lists.
Conclusion
You’re probably a good boss. You probably know a lot about your employees. But even with all that you know there are still likely some blind spots. It’s impossible to know everything about everyone. And we certainly all have our biases. If you’re here you’re probably looking for a few little ideas for how to be a better manager. And I hope you’ve found some inspiration.