Managing Gently: Is it Possible?
9 May 2014
Read by 2378 persons
In 2014, is managing with understanding and gentleness considered foolish in a professional world more competitive than ever, far from the ideal world?
Maybe not. Perhaps there are ways to use kindness and humanity without being immediately accused of weakness, cowardice or lack of character...
Often, when faced with an understanding and approachable boss, the thoughts that come to mind are not positive. Sometimes, he will be suspected of being a sly manipulator, a calculator or a demagogue, or even a cold cynic. However, one can be kind without falling into caricatured paternalism or the role of neighborhood psychologist...
How to be efficient, pragmatic, focused on both objectives and the well-being of everyone?
1. Avoid being too directive
Being kind does not mean having the will to understand the other while remaining fundamentally tyrannical and unable to delegate. It is, rather, being able to overcome the certainty that one is always right, about everything, that one masters the subject and the file like no one else. Having the humility to set aside one's ego for a few hours helps the manager who wants to be likeable and accommodating.
2. Practice empathy
Empathy is, in common language, that phenomenon of emotion which is often rendered by the expression "putting oneself in the place" of the other, being able to "step into their shoes". An empathetic manager is able to access the employee's point of view and offer a friendly and helpful hand if needed. For example, the boss knows how to approach his employee and say simply: "I have the impression that file X is causing you a problem. Am I wrong?" He also knows how to listen, show that he understands where the difficulty lies and let the work proceed, without letting go where help is requested.
However, be careful to distinguish between hearing and understanding and sympathizing and weakening.
3. Adjust, readjust
Even easy-going and deeply human, the boss never goes back on what constitutes the heart, the core of his action and/or his organization. He does not lose sight of the objectives, presents them, highlights them and reminds them as often as necessary. However, he is conscious and intelligent enough to know how to revisit the workload of X and Y, to delegate to those who are capable and to lighten the task of those who are already overwhelmed. This is not about removing everyone's responsibilities, but about adapting to the positive reality of the field.
4. Congratulate and know how to smile
One of the best ways to be kind and attentive, without being inconsistent, is to know how to recognize the successes of others and to be able to express it calmly, in an office. An enthusiastic word about their action and success will prove that you know everyone well, that you follow the progress of ongoing projects, that you are present without being omnipresent or omnipotent.
The ReKrute.com Team
Maybe not. Perhaps there are ways to use kindness and humanity without being immediately accused of weakness, cowardice or lack of character...
Often, when faced with an understanding and approachable boss, the thoughts that come to mind are not positive. Sometimes, he will be suspected of being a sly manipulator, a calculator or a demagogue, or even a cold cynic. However, one can be kind without falling into caricatured paternalism or the role of neighborhood psychologist...
How to be efficient, pragmatic, focused on both objectives and the well-being of everyone?
1. Avoid being too directive
Being kind does not mean having the will to understand the other while remaining fundamentally tyrannical and unable to delegate. It is, rather, being able to overcome the certainty that one is always right, about everything, that one masters the subject and the file like no one else. Having the humility to set aside one's ego for a few hours helps the manager who wants to be likeable and accommodating.
2. Practice empathy
Empathy is, in common language, that phenomenon of emotion which is often rendered by the expression "putting oneself in the place" of the other, being able to "step into their shoes". An empathetic manager is able to access the employee's point of view and offer a friendly and helpful hand if needed. For example, the boss knows how to approach his employee and say simply: "I have the impression that file X is causing you a problem. Am I wrong?" He also knows how to listen, show that he understands where the difficulty lies and let the work proceed, without letting go where help is requested.
However, be careful to distinguish between hearing and understanding and sympathizing and weakening.
3. Adjust, readjust
Even easy-going and deeply human, the boss never goes back on what constitutes the heart, the core of his action and/or his organization. He does not lose sight of the objectives, presents them, highlights them and reminds them as often as necessary. However, he is conscious and intelligent enough to know how to revisit the workload of X and Y, to delegate to those who are capable and to lighten the task of those who are already overwhelmed. This is not about removing everyone's responsibilities, but about adapting to the positive reality of the field.
4. Congratulate and know how to smile
One of the best ways to be kind and attentive, without being inconsistent, is to know how to recognize the successes of others and to be able to express it calmly, in an office. An enthusiastic word about their action and success will prove that you know everyone well, that you follow the progress of ongoing projects, that you are present without being omnipresent or omnipotent.
The ReKrute.com Team
