Managers and Workers Disagree on Performance

Get a clue how employees feel about bosses’ managerial skills
by Deborah Rothberg - eWeek

[ Commentary by Meryl K. Evans, Editor ]

Managers, what do your employees think of you? According to a survey referenced in this article, 10 percent of employees surveyed think their bosses are doing a lousy job. The same survey reports that 92 percent of managers think they’re doing a great job. We’ve got a discrepancy here.

Let’s get realistic. How many organizations give employees the chance to provide input on their managers’ performance? Of those that do, how many employees feel they can honestly talk about a boss’ weaknesses without fear of retribution?

Could the lack of training be a problem? First-time managers may have been great employees, attended management training and read lots of books on how to manage. Yet, the article states, “Meanwhile, 26 percent of managers said they don’t receive adequate training to handle their managerial responsibilities.”

I know of one company where a first-time manager hasn’t been doing well. He puts emphasis on lesser important issues and doesn’t concentrate on things of importance. How should a first-time manager get the job? Every manager was a manager for the first time at some point in his or her careers. What makes some succeed better as managers than others?