tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7556373549837195846.post6424378181311368265..comments2013-03-27T02:38:20.473+00:00Comments on Creative Magpie: In Times of LeadershipPhilippahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02179672441901954961noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7556373549837195846.post-9318878289354298092012-03-04T16:59:21.378+00:002012-03-04T16:59:21.378+00:00From Maria:
'Leaders should give their employ...From Maria:<br /><br />'Leaders should give their employees a clear definition of what they want the company to go. The nicer they are, the more likely their employees will want to follow their directions. But, from my point of view, leaders must be respected by their teams, they must show that they know what are they doing and that they are the most capable person to do their job, so they need to be serious and profesional.'Philippahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02179672441901954961noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7556373549837195846.post-56770323939885464452012-02-29T21:55:16.300+00:002012-02-29T21:55:16.300+00:00I have experienced ‘wary’ leaders, leaders who are...I have experienced ‘wary’ leaders, leaders who are ‘increasingly wary of being nasty’. In an ideal world leaders should be able to lead with confidence, self assurance and they should not have to consider ‘nasty or nice’. They have a vision; they inspire, motivate and lead their organisation towards fulfilling that vision. In reality however leaders, particularly in small organisations dance delicately between ‘nasty or nice’, equally paranoid about the potential consequences of both. <br /><br />In terms of being ‘nasty’, the threat of employment tribunals is very ‘real’ for employers in SMEs. It is so easy for an employee to take legal action against their employer and therefore can make the decision of sacking or redundancy terrifying for leaders. It is also so easy for employees to obtain sick notes for ‘stress at work’, whether this be genuine or not and the phone call at 8.30 in the morning to phone in sick again, after being off only 2 weeks ago, costs businesses money and time and increases the grey hair count of leaders. Invariably therefore, leaders are ‘nice’ as opposed to ‘nasty’, because of these repercussions, to the point where the employees are the ones calling the shots. <br /><br />I think employment law is a stumbling block for many small organisations and their leaders. It is a minefield and SMEs do not have the funding for HR departments. Leaders are often stumbling blindly through, often with no way out other than a hefty pay cheque, regardless of the outcome. In my experience of working in SMEs, the employees appear to be more employment law savvy than their employers, they hold all the cards and they play well with a union rep beside them to boot! In my opinion the thinking that ‘the nicer i am, the harder they’ll work’ is naive in this 21st Century society where individuals on the whole appear to be looking out solely for number 1. <br /><br />I believe the solution is a shake up. It is my understanding that US organisations and employers have less of an employment law minefield to contend with. In comparison to the UK if a US employee is repeatedly underperforming or offending it is a simple ‘You’re Fired’ whereas UK employers have to affectively undertake a risk assessment. I think we need to find a happy medium, a balance between ensuring organisations are able to hire and fire their staff as they deem fit, enabling them to succeed and grow whilst ensuring that employees are not discriminated against or unfairly dismissed. Sounds like a headache to me but in light of the current economic climate surely there is no better time for both employers and employees alike to pull together and for the government to step in and aid future growth and prosperity.Philippahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02179672441901954961noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7556373549837195846.post-67657812487962708382012-02-27T17:09:14.685+00:002012-02-27T17:09:14.685+00:00Haha, I also struggle against my inner Stalin!
Ho...Haha, I also struggle against my inner Stalin!<br /><br />However I think it depends on the context of the situation as well as the person. Some workers, through upbringing and other various external forces may respond better to people shouting orders. Whereas others will desintegrate into a puddle of self pity as soon as someone is mean to them.<br /><br />The context as well matters. For example, if they are working in a dangerous environment, then perhaps being overtly nasty to get what you want is a good thing. So there is no chance of the workers doing something wrong through sheer laziness and then hurt themselves or cause an accident.<br /><br />Of course this last example would not work if speaking about a safe business office environment. So then again, being nasty or nice depends on where you are and who you are doing it to.Helen - Entrepreneur?https://www.blogger.com/profile/08635395570243106429noreply@blogger.com