Managerial styles that are effective

[nytemare]

In just over a week, I will be starting a new job in my agency after being at the current position for a little over 7 years. My immediate supervisor went out of his way and threw a little going away party for me and another fellow who has been at the job 5 years, he is leaving the agency after he was not allowed to advance on 3 occassions. Besides the supervisors, I am the senior person there, and the co-worker who is leaving all together is 3rd senior. Our supervisor did not show up to our party. Another employee is also transferring, he was lucky enough to have a father who was high up and recently retired, so the supervisor let him advance.

I went to speak to my new supervisor. As far as leadership styles go, it seems that it will be like night and day. He seems to have a very nurturing style of leadership, he is going to allow me to attend as many seminars and classes as possible to make me better able to do my job. I want to make him look good. He will be allowing me to be a better employee to the agency by giving me the chance to improve myself. I think that leadership style is so much more effective than that of my current supervisor.

If my current supervisor wanted people to stay there, perhaps he could see his employees who have been dedicated to the unit for many years off, rather than avoid the going away party. Maybe he could see that he will be lacking employees because he is lacking in leadership. But he will not.

Four more days I have until I will be doing a challenging job working for a motivating leader. I am happy, and I am happy for my co-workers who are able to move on.

[SKKY]

1. As I'm in a leadership position now, I find that LBWA has worked...

...best for me. Leadership By Walking Around. I just try and be seen, heard, and interacted with as much as possible. I also try to leave rank out of the scenario when dealing with people. It's been my experience that, when I have to resort to our differences in rank, I've already lost. This won't work for everyone, but it works very well for me. It really depends on the dynamics of the group you're leading. Mine are computer network defense types, so they tend to be smarter than the average sailor. JMHO.

[nytemare]

3. That is a good leadership style

Leading by example and interaction is very effective.

My current supervisor tends to think very much inside the box, and doesn't lend himself to simple speculation that might lead to effective change. It's the "it's been done this way a long time" mentality, even though there are more simple ways to do things that would make much more sense and are very simple to change, he will not change.

I am going to a job that will be analytical, so it will be totally different. I will be able to challenge and be challenged back. And my new super is laid back but very bright. I am going to bust my ass for him.

[BiggJawn]

2. 2 words that must NEVER pass your lips....

"New Cheese".

I felt highly insulted that our HR "trainers" and our Managers thought we were stupid enough to buy that shit.

[nytemare]

4. New cheese?? LOL n/t

[Osamasux]

5. There are many styles and a manager needs to find one that fits.

I have picked up bits and pieces of all the managers I've had over the years and come up with a style that fits me. From some, it was a strong influence but a contrary one. As in, I am NEVER going to act like they did to my own staff. Sounds like you just had one of those.

You also have to adjust to the situation. I love being able to treat my team like responsible adults, but to do that you have to have a team that does not need a lot of adult supervision. The team I had spent years putting together in my last position was wonderful. I started a new challenge two years ago and had to start from scratch. I still have to have a much heavier hand than I like to with this group and to change a few more people until they are at that level.

It sounds like you guys could have worked well with a people-person manager, but didn't have the opportunity. Good luck in the new role.

[nytemare]

6. Thank you.

The supervisors I worked with on a daily basis were good. They were personable, and took into account the human factors. I will miss them. They are good supervisors, and care for their people.

I have been working a night shift for years now though, and will now be getting light, and maybe some water to grow on.

:)

[Wapsie B]

7. I'm glad for you.

A "very nurturing style of leadership." I've never had that. If I had to find a time and place where I did feel nurtured and encouraged I'd be at a loss. I've rarely heard feedback on my work unless something was done incorrectly.
My immediate supervisor just left and his job was divided between me and another person. I received no coaching or training before I took my present position. But the other person was given a thorough grounding as to how our area operates.
The thing is this ex-supervisor had problems managing people if they weren't blindly obedient to every task. Just do it without question. I question everything. It's just part of my nature.
The person I split the job with is obedient to a fault. That's undoubtedly why she got the personal attention and I was left to flounder on my own. So even with a BA (no one in this dept. has ever had one) and years of experience I can't get a real promotion unless I try to become something I'm not, an ass-kisser.
I suppose all of this is due to me just settling for whatever came along in life rather than raising the bar for myself.

Sorry for the rant.

[nytemare]

8. I know just what you mean!

I hope you find something good for you. It is hard being stuck in an environment like that, where feedback isn't encouraged.

I can understand the rant because I have ranted about this job quite a few times. Sometimes it just makes you say :wtf:

[Wapsie B]

11. Yeah, I'm ready

to move on to something else entirely. Or at least a better-paying position in this field while I develop my side interests. I've stagnated in this position for too long. There's been this knawing inside me that's been telling me I'm not in my right place. Rather than just arbitrarily looking for nurturing environments I've decided to just make my own. I'd love to get into Medical Communications, writing for magazines, web sites, medical/pharmaceutical companies. Working with information and being able to question the status quo are huge items with me. Maybe medical investigative work if there is such a thing. If you want it done right you gotta do it yourself. No company's done it for me.

[nytemare]

12. Stagnation sucks!

In other aspects of my life I was trying to move forward, and did. It gets to the point in some jobs where there is nothing else left to learn, or that what is left to learn doesn't interest you anymore. I knew it was time for me to move on long ago, it just took a long time to get here. You will find something. :)

[Floogeldy]

9. Lay down the law and fire the first person who looks at you crossways

[nytemare]

10. The new job will be cool

I will just look crossways at those who thought they could lay down the law...LOL. :)