Ways to improve the mutual perception between managers and workers

Tweet

The attitude of some top management used to be "The machine belongs to the company;the worker is made for the machine;or,the worker belongs to the company and exists to satisfy its need."Entertaining such a perspective today would border on lunacy,although managers can be found who act as though they still prescribe to it.The simple fact is that no employee works primarily to satisfy the needs of any organization.He labors first and foremost to meet his concern for the welfare of the firm.Additionally,the leader soon learns to accept his people as he finds them rather than as he would like them to be.Even if he is unhappy with their performance,he knows that the only possible starting point,for improvement,is where they are and as they are at a given time. Five facts are at the heart of any mutual perception process.First,initial impressions tend to be lasting as well as erroneous,it is necessary not only that the manage leader perceive his people accurately but that he make it easy for them to see him as he is without sham or flimflam. Second,aperson perceives what he looks for and very little else.This meams that the manager should emphasize the positive in sizing up his people.If he is aware of their limitations,he is also conscious of the fact that he will not make much progress with them by focusing on deficiencies.Far too much time is wasted in most organizations on attempts to eradicate defects.It would be wiser to concenttrate on capitalizing on assets and building strengths. Third,needs govern perceptions.At the outset of any relationship,thereis bound to be some uncertainty on both sides.If he is an unframed picture to his subordinates,the manager realizes that they are not sure just how to go about relating to him.His responsibility is to be authentic in his dealings with them and open to need to know where they stand,how they should relate to him,what kind of person he is,and how he intends to manage.Then they will get a true picture of him and how he operates without wasting time second guessing and playing games with him. The fourth fact is that attitudes govern perceptions.A positive,supportive attitude is readily sensed by emplyees,who,even if they are school dull,are generally life bright.Finally,perceptions are really transactions between the people involved.As the leader must allow his people opportunities to interact with him,so he must also interact with them.In this way,both will make the getting to know you process efficient and rapid.