Forgive Our Bosses

…as we wish to be forgiven.  No one is perfect, as we all know from personal experience.  We have to apply this knowledge when our bosses make mistakes; we have to lower our expectations.  Mature managers recognize that we are all just people.  Many staff and newer managers sometimes expect that bosses have supernatural powers and endless power.  They are disappointed when the individuals fall short of their expectations.

Why doesn’t she just tell them they have to!?  Variations of this question arise often when persuasive techniques are working very slowly.  Those who probably would not appreciate being peremptorily told what to do often think that others will obey a boss’s order.  No matter how many times complainers have found their own ways around the rules, they still expect others will fall into line when sternly told to do so.  Implementing a variety of persuasive techniques may be a better solution, since most of us expect the workplace to be a fairly participative environment.

How could he do anything so dumb!?  Perhaps he had a headache, or his wife was very ill, or he was thinking about his holiday.  As we take on more prominent roles, we make our mistakes in a harsher spotlight.  We need to overlook the genuine mistakes of others and discourage the inevitable gossip.  Plus, we need to develop good relationships with our colleagues and staff.  That way, they may cooperate when we discourage gossip, and they may forgive us when we make mistakes.

Mistakes relate to happenstance.  Errors arising from poorly done work need to be addressed in our best diplomatic manner.  Unethical behaviour is not a mistake – it is planned and must be dealt with through organizational channels set up for such reporting.