Have things gone M-A-D between your workers and management?
(mutually assured demonisation)
It’s a sad trend in many organisations.
Workers assume the worst of management.
Management assumes the worst of workers.
If workers are unproductive, managers think they’re lazy. If they ask for better work conditions, they’re entitled. If they’re prepared to go on strike, they’re brainwashed drones.
If managers say no to improved conditions, workers think they’re money-hungry imperialists. If they ask them to do extra hours, they’re slave-drivers. If they’re not very chatty, they’re arrogant and aloof. If they get a pay rise, they’re self-serving fat cats.
In these situations, workers and management imagine each other as comic book style villains.
But… the reality is much less scandalous.
I’ve got to know many frontline workers in many organisations. I’ve met a few obnoxious and disrespectful people. But almost everyone is well-intentioned and hard-working.
I’ve got to know many managers in many organisations. I’ve met a few obnoxious and disrespectful people. But almost everyone is well-intentioned and hard-working.
The good news is that the lazy and entitled worker is as rare as the evil manager.
Instead it turns out, people are people. From the front line to the CEO. They’re just humans who wish to be accepted, valued (even loved), recognised and accepted for who they are. They want to feel safe. They’re well-intentioned and hard working.
Most of the time – they do nothing wrong. But – like you and me – they’re disappointingly human sometimes.
They’re shy, not arrogant. They’re insecure, not entitled. They’re overwhelmed, not mean. They disengaged, not lazy. They’re searching for hope, not gullible. They’re over-worked, not insensitive. They’re clumsy, not malicious.
They’re… entirely human.
It’s madness to believe otherwise.
