Don't Shoot The Messenger

One of the common errors poor managers make today is to shoot the messenger who brings bad news. Their attitude is often:

· You are not a team player
· You are always negative
· You are always complaining
· You are never happy
· You are a pain in the a_ _

I will agree that some employees fit one or all of the above characterizations – however when you have an employee bring you bad news, do you:

· thank them
· criticize them
· ignore them
· berate them
· listen to them
· encourage them to tell you more
· listen to them
· other_______________________

The point is – the closer you are to reality (either with a situation inside the organization or outside with customers or suppliers) – the better decisions you can make. And that will ensure your success and organization performance. Shooting the messenger is a great way to ensure you are totally out of touch with the conditions, perceptions, attitudes, problems and challenges that are present in your department organization as a whole.

Here are a few ideas to consider the next time one of your employees brings you bad news. (Let me repeat – if all you ever hear is good news and never the bad news – you are contributing to your ultimate failure as a manager and possibly an organization).

1. Create and foster a culture that encourages or even rewards bad news.
2. Don’t just listen to the people who believe what you believe.
3. Don’t berate or criticize employees who bring you less than perfect news.
4. Listen to them and ask for additional information on the message they bring.
5. Do something with it and let the person know what you did.
6. Empower people to be on the lookout for bad news.
7. Put a system in place that permits all news – good and bad – to get to the top.
8. Tell your employees you want it all: the good, the bad and the ugly.

Article Source: http://www.content.onlypunjab.com

Tim Connor, CSP is an internationally renowned sales, management and leadership speaker, trainer and best selling author. Since 1981 he has given over 3500 presentations in 21 countries on a variety of sales, management, leadership and relationship topics. He is the best selling author of over 60 books including; Soft Sell, That’s Life, Peace Of Mind, 91 Challenges Managers Face Today and Your First Year In Sales. He can be reached at tim@timconnor.com, 704-895-1230 or visit his website at www.timconnor.com.

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