Monday, January 01, 2007

Leadership: 40% of Bosses Fail to Keep their Word

A study of American workers reveals new insights and disappointments for the average employee. This follows a study showing nearly 80% of workers would switch employers to work for an ethical, honest company. What did the study show?

39 percent of workers said their supervisor failed to keep promises.

37 percent said their supervisor failed to give credit when due.


31 percent said their supervisor gave them the "silent treatment" in the past year.

27 percent said their supervisor made negative comments about them to other employees or managers.


24 percent said their supervisor invaded their privacy.

23 percent said their supervisor blamed others to cover up mistakes or to minimize embarrassment.


The study didn’t state why there is widespread practice of poor leadership? Are business schools pumping out more unethical leaders? Or are they joining sleazy companies? Or are these behaviors expected given corporate motivation and reward systems? If a boss is too busy obsessing over his incentive pay, might he forget to keep a promise? To work their way up the corporate ladder, might a boss take credit for another’s work? When the numbers don’t turn out right, might a boss blame others as a cover up?

Corporate and government leaders regularly fail their employees in today’s “pay for performance” modern world. A look in the mirror is needed to see if pathology is the cause or poor management theory/systems. My vote is for the later…

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