Motivation?

[Smokin Joe]

What Motivates you to do the best job you possibly can?

When your boss is a numb nut bastard that can't or won't make a decision to save his life?

[Kyobanim]

I've got numbnuts bosses. In fact, working at a college, I have a bunch of them. They all have the attitude of "it's not my job" which drives me crazy. I see things from the viewpoint of "if there's a problem, fix it". I take pride in a job well done and even more if I can forestall a problem before it happens. Staying proactive not only makes the job more interesting it lets the clients know that you're looking out for their best interest. A thank you from a client goes a long way.

[Jack Moroney (RIP)]

I have worked for a lot of "numbnuts" and have refused to let them define the parameters of what I thought was success. In those cases where I had an indecisive boss, I always acted in the best interest of meeting mission requirements and asked for foregiveness later. In the majority of cases most of them had an epiphany and decided to let me define my own operational techniques as long as I continued to produce results. I have always found the key was to work for the betterment of my organization and the welfare of those for whom I was responsible and not for the self-agradizement of the some clown who I thought was an idiot. This always worked for me, but I have to admit it was personality driven and what works for me may not work for someone else.

Jack Moroney

[Smokin Joe]

Gentlemen,

I have to agree with you both. The things I have found that I am having to tap into alot lately (now that I have a new boss) are alot of posts here and on other boards that talk about leadership and try to adapt them to my situation as well as try and develop my personaly and leadership abilities from members of this board. My primary motivation is my dedication to my Officers and other staff. I remember what it was like to work for a P.O.S. Sergeant and I have vowed that my staff although they may not like me will know 1. Where they stand with me 2. I am a result driven no bullshit Superivsor. and 3.That I work for there best interest.

Thanks for the responses. I would love to here what other have to say on this.

[QRQ 30]

Gentlemen,

I have to agree with you both. The things I have found that I am having to tap into alot lately (now that I have a new boss) are alot of posts here and on other boards that talk about leadership and try to adapt them to my situation as well as try and develop my personaly and leadership abilities from members of this board. My primary motivation is my dedication to my Officers and other staff. I remember what it was like to work for a P.O.S. Sergeant and I have vowed that my staff although they may not like me will know 1. Where they stand with me 2. I am a result driven no bullshit Superivsor. and 3.That I work for there best interest.

Thanks for the responses. I would love to here what other have to say on this.

That's all there is Joe. There may be different particulars but the principles remain the same. Different routes can lead to the same destination. Don't fall into the pitfall of stereo-typing. What works for me may not work for you and vice versa. However the above stated principles will continue to stand.

BTW we nwwd a "PREACHING" smiley. I seem to need one quite often.
:D

[DanUCSB]

I'm sure we can all sympathize with having a numbnuts boss. The biggest pitfall that I've noticed is that while they are lazy and unmotivated, they will (consciously or not) attempt to drag you down to their level. The solution, at least for me, is like others have posted: do your work to your standards, and don't be afraid to apologize later instead of asking for permission first. As you're a quality person, you'll get results; eventually, the numbnuts boss will notice that, and let you do your own thing (he'll eventually notice that it makes him look good to have a good worker getting results, even if we all know he didn't contribute one bit).

[NousDefionsDoc]

Might try looking at it from his POV. Why is he indecisive? Are their roadblocks to his making a decision? If so, you can remove them? This is a plague in the corporate world. There are usually 10,000 people and reasons to say "No" and only one that can say "Yes". I had some success with snaking and putting the gatekeeper in the position of only having one option.

Plus, a lot of people will not make a decision or say "No" simply because they perceive it as the less complicated solution. If you really want a "Yes", you have to do all the work.

Believe it or not, the "...for dummies" are excellent for helping with this. Negotiating, Managing, Marketing, etc. Think of him as a customer. Your ideas are your products. The Negotiating for Dummies has all kinds of neat little tricks for psyops.

Remember, it is a war. You will win some battles and lose some. Pick your battles, nobody likes to be in conflict all the time. You need a strategy for your relationship. Not developing a relationship is not an option, as he is your boss.

[Roguish Lawyer]

Might try looking at it from his POV. Why is he indecisive? Are their roadblocks to his making a decision? If so, you can remove them? This is a plague in the corporate world. There are usually 10,000 people and reasons to say "No" and only one that can say "Yes". I had some success with snaking and putting the gatekeeper in the position of only having one option.

Plus, a lot of people will not make a decision or say "No" simply because they perceive it as the less complicated solution. If you really want a "Yes", you have to do all the work.

Believe it or not, the "...for dummies" are excellent for helping with this. Negotiating, Managing, Marketing, etc. Think of him as a customer. Your ideas are your products. The Negotiating for Dummies has all kinds of neat little tricks for psyops.

Remember, it is a war. You will win some battles and lose some. Pick your battles, nobody likes to be in conflict all the time. You need a strategy for your relationship. Not developing a relationship is not an option, as he is your boss.

Excellent advice.

[Surgicalcric]

What Motivates you to do the best job you possibly can?


Two reasons:

First off I am a perfectionist and secondly others lives depend on my ability to perform.

There is a sign that hangs on the employee restroom mirrors at my fire dept that reads, "Does the person you see instill confidence in you that he could save your life."


Crip

[NousDefionsDoc]

Excellent advice.

Thank you. Was all the grammar correct? :cool:

I actually have quite a bit of experience and training in this area. At first I hated it, but now it's fun to see how much can be achieved with how little effort. It is really easy when you first go in, especially if there is not much competition - other strong personalities, pecking order that will perceive a threat, etc.

Most people are not leaders, they are followers by nature. And most people are lazy and blind. So with a little effort, it is not a complicated matter to shape an environment to one's advantage. That is what books like Go Rin No Sho are really about and how they apply to the business world. It's all about domination to receive compliance. If you don't need to beat them down to get compliance - don't. Constant conflict makes people obstinant for no other reason. Look at the nomination process. LOL Also, most people like to have their ass kissed (I prefer to think of it as creating a harmonious work environment LOL) and to have their opinions heard and positively commented upon. Even when they are obviously stupid.

I used to keep a copy of the manger org chart on my computer. When I wanted a "Yes", I would strategize and mark with a number of all the people in the chain that had to buy in to my idea and in what order. Then I would go to them (snaking) one at a time, ending with the Yes Dude. Always attempting to tailor the conversation to the individual and his specific concerns. For example - the bean counter (focus on cost), the legal guys (focus on compliance) - like that. By the time the meeting came and the formal presentation was given, they all knew and all agreed - no surprises (bosses hate surprises). I was taught to do it that way by a very successfaul manager that learned it from a politician. It works like a charm. Only downside is it's a little slow, but bosses also don't like emergencies and many times the snaking process will challenge you to re-think the idea or pieces of it. Sometimes those flashes of brilliance are shiney crap after you look at them a few times.

I would have been a much better teammate if I had known at 25 what I knew at 40.

This training, stolen from the corporate world, would be of equitable benefit in the Q course for FID IMO. The downside would be everybody on an A Team would always be running psyops on each other. But it would be fun to watch. LOL

[jatx]

Crip,

A variation on your quote that I like is, "Would the boy you were be proud of the man you are?"

[NousDefionsDoc]

Crip,

A variation on your quote that I like is, "Would the boy you were be proud of the man you are?"


I like that

[Roguish Lawyer]

I would have been a much better teammate if I had known at 25 what I knew at 40.

I know what you mean. I have had to learn managerial skills the hard way -- on the job, with no training at all. I am still learning and enjoy when you post about the subject.

[QRQ 30]

I spent a good deal of my time as a trainer of managers for a major company. First off, let me say that leadership is leadership and neither the military nor civilian sector have a corner on the market.

I started out as a real hard ass. I guess that that is the crutch you use if other more reasonable methods don't work. I remember reflecting that I could never work for a jerk like that (me)!. I used to tell my students that if they are real ass holes and run everyone off, guess who has to do the job. Successful management is getting a job done through OTHERS.

Everyone on this earth is an individual. The secret is to find the key to each individual. "One size fits all" doesn't work. There are also as many management styles as there are managers. Find the one that is custom made for you.

I could write a book but someone beat me to it: " The One Minute Manager".

When asked what style I use I say Empathy and The Golden Rule. I treat subordinates as I would like to be treated. Not soft or permissive but hard and FAIR. I guess it could be said that I also have a mother hen complex. I look at those under me as my total responsibility. My superiors hated me because I was the only one that could disciplin my people, but my people were quite loyal to me.

It is old and many of you may not have seen it but I used to watch a TV program called "Tour of Duty". I like to think that the Sarge was modeled after me. Though tough and demanding he mother hened his troops through their tour in Vietnam.

(where's that "Preacher's" smiley?) :preacher:

[Dirt Gallo]

While reading this thread, a passage from Nietzche came to mind.
Bear with me if this seems 'Non sequitur'........

"You run AHEAD? Are you doing it as a sheperd? Or as an exception? A third case would be the fugitive. FIRST question of the conscience.
Are you genuine? Or merely an actor? A representative? Or that which is represented? In the end, perhaps you are merely a copy of an actor. SECOND question of conscience.
Are you one who looks on? Or one who lends a hand? Or one who looks away and walks off? THIRD question of conscience.
Do you want to walk along? Or walk ahead? Or walk by yourself? One must know WHAT one wants and THAT one wants. FOURTH question of conscience."

Thanks for all the inspiring thoughts guys.

[Jack Moroney (RIP)]

While reading this thread, a passage from Nietzche came to mind.
Bear with me if this seems 'Non sequitur'........

.

Okay, now that made my hair hurt. I much rather prefer the philosophy of my first team sergeant, "Lead, follow or get the hell out of the way"! :)

Jack Moroney