We often hear the expression, “People don’t quit companies; they quit managers.” Unfortunately, some individuals are promoted to managers without proper training and lack the soft skills needed to be effective managers. A partnership with your employees, especially within a unionized environment, can be your biggest asset in creating a productive work environment. Below are the key differences between a partner and a dictator:
PARTNER
- Communicates and engages daily with employees
- Asks employees for input, feedback, and opinion
- Solves problems together
- Explains to employees “why.”
- Earns trust
- Develops and mentors employees
DICTATOR
- Information is power
- Micromanages employees
- No one else is entitled to an opinion
- “When I want your opinion, I will ask for it”
- Makes decisions without input
- Informs instead of involves
- Not trusted