PROFESSIONALISM IS OVERRATED
Modern media is glutted with articles about how supervisors and managers can earn the respectful affection of their workers as a means to boost efficiency and productivity. Since I’m addressing a very tiny niche here, I want to talk to those of you who are convinced that people work better for you when they hate you. I know you’re out there, because I’ve seen your work. These are things I’ve observed from the best (or, the worst, as the case may be). Every example I include is real, and they are all effective strategies to make your people think of you with revulsion!
Unprofessionalism in your strategy to help your workers hate you…
Shoot the messenger
The secretary stood meekly in the boss’s doorway to deliver a message. “Lois called. She’s stuck in traffic and is going to be late for her meeting with you.”
The boss pounded the desk, his face pinched with irritation. He pointed his finger at the secretary and yelled, “I told her that I was on a tight schedule, and if she was late the meeting will have to be postponed! You get her back on the phone and you tell her to just turn around and go home!”
This is a perfect technique to earn the hatred of your employees: When your employee relays a negative message to you from someone else, respond to them angrily or defensively as if they were the person from whom the message came. This is unprofessionalism at its finest.
If your goal is for employees to hate you, then you’ll want to avoid calmly asking the messenger to contact the appointment to reschedule.