by Patricia Rainford

Created on: January 29, 2009

I say no only on the premise that you can't please everyone all the time. When managing a group of 5 people or more, there will always be three groups of employees; those who absolutely love their boss, those who are indifferent, and those who hate their boss. This exists in every work place. I challenge anyone to show me a completely harmonious work environment filled with daisys and sunshine. It just doesn't exist.

A manager can be the nicest, most descent, most moral person there is but it still won't change the fact that people have varying personalities and temperments. Employees of a single work environment are just as diverse as the people of the world. This is not to say that you shouldn't treat your employees with general kindness, accomodate them within reason, and not be concerned about their personal lives or families. A good manager will do those things. But doing those things on a personal level does not undermine the fact that you are representing the company. Your tasks will undoubtedly put you in a position where you have to look at what's best for the company. Doing what's right for the company doesn't always mean that you will be doing what your employees favor. You cannot please all your employees while performing your job. Again, it's impossible.

Let me give you an example: I learned that lesson the first week I became a manager within my company. The first time I had to sit down and write a schedule with new budget cuts, I realized that some of the employees would be very upset at the fact that their hours had been cut. Did I think it was important that they all like me? I used to. But I knew at that moment that I couldn't please everyone and to try to please them all would compromise my job. I HAD to make the cuts and no matter how much I tried to even it out so that my employees were all cut the same share, there were those that were furious and were convinced that it was ME being mean to them instead of the company making budget cuts. I learned quickly on that nothing I could say would convince them that I did only what I had to do.

Maybe it's something that you have to learn for yourself. I had heard from my predecessor that when you become a manager, you're automatically viewed as some alien being. There will be whispers behind your back, there will be the "suck ups" who will will do anything for you. But if you worry about all the employees liking you, then you'll be putting too much stress and work on yourself.

Not everyone is going to like you. Just do what's right and don't worry about it. You can't please everyone.

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