Mean boss-or nice boss - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

**genecarp** · 10-06-2008, 05:41 PM

A couple of threads got me curious, it seems like alot of guys here are hard asses when it comes to managing there employees. how would you best describe your management style

1- A RAVING LUNATIC THAT SCREAMS AT THERE EMPLOYEES ON A REGULAR BASIS

2- A WELL BALANCED PACKAGE THAT OCCASIONALLY SCREAMS

3- A QUIET TYPE THAT MOTIVATES AND LEADS BY CAREFULLY CHOSEN NON EMOTIONAL COMMUNICATION.

G

George Z · 10-06-2008, 05:43 PM

4- a quiet type that motivates and leads by carefully chosen emotional communication.

mdshunk · 10-06-2008, 05:44 PM

I'm definitely #2. I'm generally calm, but occasionally go totally off the deep end. Usually after that happens, everyone is real quiet the rest of the day.

AintNoFun · 10-06-2008, 05:46 PM

i dont think you can win either way... your nice people walk over you, your nasty theyre unproductive and find ways to screw you..

mdshunk · 10-06-2008, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AintNoFun

i dont think you can win either way... your nice people walk over you, your nasty theyre unproductive and find ways to screw you..

That's why I'm generally nice, and only occasionally fly off the handle to keep anyone from getting any funny ideas.

SethHoldren · 10-06-2008, 05:50 PM

I am not a quiet type, but I don't yell. In fact, in my experience a point can be driven home more powerfully if you don't blow your wad yelling all the time.

But then, I know there are people out there who don't respond to anything but yelling. I just don't hire those people.

Here are the rules of thumb I live by: Mean what you say. Prove it often. Make eye contact. Don't hire people who you can't communicate with.

mdshunk · 10-06-2008, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SethHoldren

Don't hire people who you can't communicate with.

... and if you do accidentally, humiliate them on a regular basis until they quit.

SethHoldren · 10-06-2008, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mdshunk

... and if you do accidentally, humiliate them on a regular basis until they quit.

daystoshort · 10-06-2008, 06:06 PM

id go with 5 fair but firm i verry seldom freek out its about respect if you respect them they respect you.

Chris Johnson · 10-06-2008, 06:16 PM

I'll take #2, I only scream if I have had to tell you the same thing over and over again, then I demote you to moving and bending/cutting rebar by yourself for the entire day...that job sucks and is dirty, after 8 hours of the same thing by yourself you learn to listen really quick.

PA woodbutcher · 10-06-2008, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by genecarp

A couple of threads got me curious, it seems like alot of guys here are hard asses when it comes to managing there employees. how would you best describe your management style

1- A RAVING LUNATIC THAT SCREAMS AT THERE EMPLOYEES ON A REGULAR BASIS

2- A WELL BALANCED PACKAGE THAT OCCASIONALLY SCREAMS

3- A QUIET TYPE THAT MOTIVATES AND LEADS BY CAREFULLY CHOSEN NON EMOTIONAL COMMUNICATION.

G

Probably somewhere between a 2 and 3. Occasionally would mean, like twice in the last 2 years. I had a 1st Sergeant tell me in the Army that when you lose your temper you lose respect. I have been known to send people home for the rest of the day or week depending on the infraction. Sent all 3 of them home once. I don't mess with them and I don't expect them to mess with me.

Mike Finley · 10-06-2008, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by George Z

4- a quiet type that motivates and leads by carefully chosen emotional communication.

Ditto.

If your employees aren't sure that you care, you can be sure they could careless about you, the company and the work they are doing.

woodworkbykirk · 10-06-2008, 07:04 PM

my actions vary in regards to the employee, if the worker doesnt listen, lazy and makes mistake constantly i yell till my voice is gone

if its a good worker and they made a small mistake just by having a brain fart, ill tease em a couple times or use "you remember that time we were installing siding and i said i needed 3 pieces 82" between the windows and you cut me 3 pieces 28" cuz you read your tape backwards"

if their new at the trade and just starting out, im nice to them, explain where they made their mistake, or tell them were on a timeline for this job,whatever. so lets work a little faster,or you know where you went wrong for the next time

thom · 10-06-2008, 07:12 PM

How would one know if you were the yelling type. You must yell just to be heard on a construction site. If you have a quiet voice, no one would know you were talking.

As for type, direct, honest, to the point. If a guy screws up, point it out, every time. If you don't, anger will build up inside you till you burst, probably at the wrong thing or the wrong guy.

If your guys can't take being told they screwed up, let them leave. There's no time or patience to be your employees shrink or friend, JUST BE HIS BOSS.

Remodel Bud · 10-06-2008, 07:20 PM

........

**ChrWright** · 10-06-2008, 07:21 PM

I don't like the "non-emotional" element--and I don't consider "screaming" well balanced.

I strive to be more of a Leader than a Boss where my expectations are clear, employees are respected and correction is progressive vs. bi polar.

I am passionate about having high standards, for both myself and for those who work for me. "Lead by example" is a cliche, but true nonetheless.

Bottom line: employees will bend over backwards to please you if they respect you and if you inspire them to be part of something greater--something special. When it comes to front-line, in-the-field leadership: Respect is earned by setting a consistent level of expectations and being just as hard on yourself in meeting them as you are on them.

Does that mean hand-holding? Defnintely not. I don't subscribe to the "every snowflake is special" school of teaching/leading. I will teach you the way I want things done, be patient as you learn and grow--but when you screw up you're going to hear about it.

Remodel Bud · 10-06-2008, 07:23 PM

...................

**genecarp** · 10-06-2008, 07:33 PM

I probably fall somewhere between 2 and 3, for me, i takes to much effort to yell. as much as i believe it is not good for the morale of the men, more importantly yelling is not good for me. i very clearly lay out what is expected, i am a friend, a therapist, a babysitter, and a couple of other things. but rest assured everyone knows if they become more of a liability than an asset, they are gone. ( nothing personal ).

rbsremodeling · 10-06-2008, 07:38 PM

I will probably get banged up for this but

I am the clown on the job site. I talk trash with my guys all day long. My guys know I enjoy what I do. I do not want then to look at me as a boss but a friend and I have not gotten burnt with this philosophy in 15 years.

When I announce I am going out to the field to work everyone wants me on their project. I make working enjoyable. I pick the hardest tasks or even the clean up role to do while I am in the field.

My guys respect me and it is not a problem for me. To have them see me doing small task that a laborer would do.

I can also get my guys to do anything, anytime I ask because they know I will come in the trenches with them if required.

Some guys will disagree and say you have to have a boss mentality or stay in charge but my method has worked for me and my co workers/employees are loyal to no end.

They do not exploit my kindness and I have not raised my voice to anyone in over 15 years. If somethings broke we broke it and we will fix it. They do not neglect my tools, trucks or job sites so if anything goes wrong its on us/me

Meetre · 10-06-2008, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by genecarp

but rest assured everyone knows if they become more of a liability than an asset, they are gone. ( nothing personal ).

nuff said. let them know what is expected and what they can expect. stick to it. Yelling makes me mad, I won't do it to someone else.