Want a better boss? Be a better mirror.

Ouch. A survey just published by Florida State University finds that many, MANY workers mistrust their bosses. Not a surprise to you? Well, I am not surprised, but I am disappointed. Come ON, how hard can this be???

Here are the stats about Bad Boss Behavior (700 workers interviewed across industries):

39% said their supervisor failed to keep promises.
37% said their supervisor failed to give credit when due.
31% said their supervisor gave them the "silent treatment" in the past year.
27% said their supervisor made negative comments about them to other employees or managers.
24% said their supervisor invaded their privacy.
23% said their supervisor blames others to cover up mistakes or minimize embarrassment.

To me, this is a checklist for what NOT to do and seriously, does this sound impossible? In fact, when I look at this list I ask myself, would I treat my family this way? Or my friends? Hmmm, I don't think I would have any friends if I did and the family would avoid me!

Ok, maybe this kind of stuff happens to you by your boss, but you gotta ask yourself: have I done anything like this to my colleagues? I am all for changing other people but I have learned that when I want better behavior from others I look at my own actions and ask, What can I do better?

It's kinda like a mirror. You know how when you get wigged out about something, others around you pick up the vibe and start doing the same...the bad mojo escalates, until (hopefully) someone with a calmer attitude shows up. The "spell" is broken.

I figure that being a "better mirror" might be a way to get a better boss.

One way to being a better mirror is to think about yourself as the reflection of God. Reflection like a mirror and reflection like the "thought" or "consideration" of God.  Think of all the good qualities of God, like love, goodness, creativity, compassion, justice, fairness, kindness...there are tons. Now, if you are the creation of God, then She must have made a creation like Herself with the same qualities. (IOW, how could She make something unlike Herself? Doesn't sound logical or even possible, seems to me.) That wonderful, God-like creation is YOU!

Ok then, say you are the mirror reflecting these qualities from the Original. This is the mirror you reflect to your boss, your colleagues, friends and family. Regardless of what swirls around you, your reflection of good qualities at the very least brings calm to tense situations (a good thing) and at the most can be the example others want to emulate (a GREAT thing!). No downside.

Try it. Expect to see signs of progress...but don't be disappointed if everything doesn't change all at once. In my experience as a manager, it has been more of a "work in progress." Almost every night, before I go to sleep, I review the events of the day and ask, could I have handled that better? Could I have been a better reflection of the good Spirit? Always, ALWAYS the answer is yes. And so, it is a step by step improvement.

Hmmm, a daily improvement on how you treat people by being a better mirror. Sounds like a successful management style to me!

Comments

[kate Robertson]

Chris...wonderful post...you always objectified these principles of good managment in my interactions with you and I was grateful for your example...with Love, Kate