The Manager's Answer Book by Barbara Mitchell

Author:Barbara Mitchell
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781632658807
Publisher: Career Press

Entrepreneurs bring a great deal of clarity to their vision. When they embark on something, there is no ambiguity. They are purposeful in their endeavors. Everything is intentional, even if the intent is to learn and explore. Finally, they are great at networking. They seek out people and groups with whom they can connect and because of their curious nature, they can elicit interesting and useful information and build meaningful relationships.

Question: I've been really surprised about the countless rumors that appear to be circulating among my team members, most of which are untrue. I'm overhearing most of this gossip and I'm not sure how to address it. I'd like to just ignore them and hope they'll stop. Should I take any action?

Answer: Not only are rumors unproductive and disruptive in the workplace, you're risking your personal credibility by simply ignoring them. You are right to consider taking action. As a manager, you want to send a strong message about integrity, and you can do so by confronting the rumors and setting the record straight with facts. Be proactive rather than hope the rumor mill will stop operating. One thing you can do is to address the rumors in a staff meeting, which not only provides the opportunity for everyone to ask questions, but it also lets your team know that you value open and factual communication.

Establishing and maintaining your personal integrity as a manager are so important to your success. Some things that you can do personally to promote an ethical work environment are:

Treat everyone with fairness and respect. Show respect by always paying attention and listening, such as when others ask to speak with you or when others are speaking in meetings. Give your undivided attention, refrain from reading emails, and don't take or make calls unless it's an emergency situation.

Walk the talk and set a good example. The proverb that actions speak louder than words is real. You team is watching, so act in a professional and respectful manner at work. Be purposeful in your actions and choose your words wisely.

Exercise discretion. In addition to avoiding gossip, keep confidences to the extent you can. If someone wants to tell you something in confidence, let them know up-front that if what they tell you will put the organization or another person at risk, you will have to disclose it to others who have a need to know. However, if that's not the case, honor your word. Don't discuss issues about your employees (for example, issues related to wrongdoings or discipline) with other managers or team members.

Don't speak disparagingly about others. No matter how frustrated you may be about something or someone in the organization, express your views with care. Don't lash out at a colleague, a team member, or someone in leadership. Find a trusted source, preferably outside the organization, if you need to vent. If you disagree with a policy, tell the leadership in a positive, in-person conversation. If you're disappointed in someone, talk to them face-to-face and let them know why.

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