Post by Gerry Duffett on Oct 13, 2007 7:55:26 GMT -5
Management Doesn't Mean Mind Control;
use power responsibly
Joan Lloyd
November 8, 2002
They were locked in their cages.
Some had been there for years.
After years of abuse, most of them were subdued and easy to control.
Even when the doors of the cages were unlatched,
most of them preferred to stay inside,
where they had become comfortable.
They didn't trust that it was safe to come outside.
Sadly, I'm not describing dogs.
These were people who worked for an
overcontrolling, vindictive boss.
Empowerment for them meant they could bring sweet rolls and cookies to work.
Independent thoughts and actions were beaten out of them long ago.
Does this seem far-fetched to you?
Impossible, perhaps?
Unfortunately, I have seen cases this extreme.
One situation was a department and the other was an entire company.
I found it interesting that both authoritarian leaders were successful in exerting control through similar means:
*Hire people who are underqualified for their positions and then overpay them so it would be difficult for them to find a comparable job elsewhere.
For example, if the position typically requires a college degree, promote internal candidates without degrees.
They will be grateful to you and more loyal.
*Hire people who are compliant and not likely to challenge your authority.
Look for traits such as an eagerness to please and nonassertive personalities.
*Keep a tight leash on your staff and limit their exposure to outside conferences, professional organizations and other forms of continuous education.
You can keep them from hearing about new opportunities and new ideas that could be better than yours.
*Limit their activities within the organization, too.
Make sure that only your most loyal employees are allowed to interact with other managers and executives.
The more you can keep them in their cages,
the more you can isolate them and control them.
Make sure that you are the only one who attends committee meetings outside of the department or the company.
*Make all the important decisions yourself.
Insist that every project, policy and new initiative get your personal approval every step of the way.
If things pile up on your desk and your staff has to remind you and even beg you to take action,
it will reinforce your importance.
*Discourage independent action by limiting the scope of your employees' jobs.
Since you will be the only person with the whole picture,
it will make you feel superior and it will keep people from outshining you.
They will have to come to you constantly for direction.
*Insist on ironclad loyalty.
Employees who challenge you and disobey you must be tormented, ridiculed and even fired.
This will teach others how to behave.
*Try to catch people making mistakes.
This will demonstrate how superior you are and will cause your employees' self-confidence to suffer.
If you've done a good job of hiring people who have low
self-esteem,
this technique will result in a submissive, easy-to-control staff.
*Keep expenses extremely low,
so you can stay off the radar screen of senior management.
As long as your budget is tight and you aren't demanding much,
they will likely leave you alone to do what you want.
*Make sure you look good to your manager and other key people.
Be as sweet as pie to people who count.
Run when they call and serve their needs personally,
so they become your advocates.
You never know when someone might complain about you and you will need strong supporters at high levels.
*Spread negative stories about anyone who challenges your authority.
Try to damage the reputation of these people and discredit them slyly,
so you never look like the guilty party.
Quote "other people" and feign support while you are spreading these destructive stories.
Joan Lloyd
is a management consultant, trainer & professional speaker.
Reach her at Joan Lloyd & Associates,
800-348-1944,
info@joanlloyd.com
.....................or
www.JoanLloyd.com
See at
twincities.bizjournals.com/twincities/stories/2002/11/11/smallb3.html
use power responsibly
Joan Lloyd
November 8, 2002
They were locked in their cages.
Some had been there for years.
After years of abuse, most of them were subdued and easy to control.
Even when the doors of the cages were unlatched,
most of them preferred to stay inside,
where they had become comfortable.
They didn't trust that it was safe to come outside.
Sadly, I'm not describing dogs.
These were people who worked for an
overcontrolling, vindictive boss.
Empowerment for them meant they could bring sweet rolls and cookies to work.
Independent thoughts and actions were beaten out of them long ago.
Does this seem far-fetched to you?
Impossible, perhaps?
Unfortunately, I have seen cases this extreme.
One situation was a department and the other was an entire company.
I found it interesting that both authoritarian leaders were successful in exerting control through similar means:
*Hire people who are underqualified for their positions and then overpay them so it would be difficult for them to find a comparable job elsewhere.
For example, if the position typically requires a college degree, promote internal candidates without degrees.
They will be grateful to you and more loyal.
*Hire people who are compliant and not likely to challenge your authority.
Look for traits such as an eagerness to please and nonassertive personalities.
*Keep a tight leash on your staff and limit their exposure to outside conferences, professional organizations and other forms of continuous education.
You can keep them from hearing about new opportunities and new ideas that could be better than yours.
*Limit their activities within the organization, too.
Make sure that only your most loyal employees are allowed to interact with other managers and executives.
The more you can keep them in their cages,
the more you can isolate them and control them.
Make sure that you are the only one who attends committee meetings outside of the department or the company.
*Make all the important decisions yourself.
Insist that every project, policy and new initiative get your personal approval every step of the way.
If things pile up on your desk and your staff has to remind you and even beg you to take action,
it will reinforce your importance.
*Discourage independent action by limiting the scope of your employees' jobs.
Since you will be the only person with the whole picture,
it will make you feel superior and it will keep people from outshining you.
They will have to come to you constantly for direction.
*Insist on ironclad loyalty.
Employees who challenge you and disobey you must be tormented, ridiculed and even fired.
This will teach others how to behave.
*Try to catch people making mistakes.
This will demonstrate how superior you are and will cause your employees' self-confidence to suffer.
If you've done a good job of hiring people who have low
self-esteem,
this technique will result in a submissive, easy-to-control staff.
*Keep expenses extremely low,
so you can stay off the radar screen of senior management.
As long as your budget is tight and you aren't demanding much,
they will likely leave you alone to do what you want.
*Make sure you look good to your manager and other key people.
Be as sweet as pie to people who count.
Run when they call and serve their needs personally,
so they become your advocates.
You never know when someone might complain about you and you will need strong supporters at high levels.
*Spread negative stories about anyone who challenges your authority.
Try to damage the reputation of these people and discredit them slyly,
so you never look like the guilty party.
Quote "other people" and feign support while you are spreading these destructive stories.
Joan Lloyd
is a management consultant, trainer & professional speaker.
Reach her at Joan Lloyd & Associates,
800-348-1944,
info@joanlloyd.com
.....................or
www.JoanLloyd.com
See at
twincities.bizjournals.com/twincities/stories/2002/11/11/smallb3.html