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At work I find that my staff refuse to do what I ask them to do and challenge everything. Any suggestions?

I am new to the job and the company and feel that the staff I am now trying to manage are 'ganging up' to see how I will react. The latest is that I've asked them to complete a spreadsheet but they are refusing to do it, at least without a detailed explanation of why the data is needed. This is the first time I have ever managed anyone and I don't want them knowing that I'm feeling completely bewildered by their aggression.

Asked By: musiclover - 12/4/2006
Best Answer - Chosen by Asker
While the employees might be feeling angry at you that the company has chosen to put you at a higher level than them even though they were there before you, ultimately you will be punished if you are unable to get the employees to perform duties as required.
I would sit down with each individual for a one on one and explain that the company is entrusting you with certain duties that you have to bring to fruition. This requires everyone's cooperation and you expect everyone's cooperation.
You need to get across the concept of managerial perogative, and teamwork.
I would present this as nicely as possible knowing that persuading them to cooperate will be less damaging than firing people for insubordination.
Answered By: john n - 12/4/2006
Additional Answers ()
You are the boss therefore anything you ask them to be done should be done without question. Tell them this and let them know that failure to comply will be met with warnings eventually leading to them being sacked. If they have any real problems they can go to your boss and voice them but unless they are genuine concerns with good reasons then I'm sure your boss will back you up. Your boss obviously employed you as he/she felt that you are a good leader and possess the skills with which to manage this section of the company, have faith in yourself. Good luck and stand your ground!!!
Answered By: Dancing Queen - 12/6/2006
Show them who is boss and demand the report or u will write them up.
Sounds like they are taking their jobs for granted and u have one heck of applications that could replace them all.
U are the boss and dont forget it.
Answered By: sunflare63 - 12/4/2006
You need to make a example to show your staff you mean what you say and they need to respect your position...fire the person that is ringleading this action, and the staff might wake up and do their work as assigned...
Answered By: churchonthewayseniors - 12/4/2006
Where I come from, if you don't do the work your boss tells you to do, you get fired.
Answered By: Tish - 12/4/2006
Boot there @rses in to shape......go on get it sorted!
Answered By: dodds - 12/4/2006
They are testing you and your abilities and i suspect you are a quiet reserved personality .Do not fall into their silly games by giving detailed explainations .. try a staff meeting at a time which will inconvienance all and point out that you are new and what you expect from them dont be too friendly point it out in black and white and start issuing warnings and mention they are not indespensible good luck and smile all the way through as you are higher than them xx
Answered By: sammie - 12/4/2006
The worst thing you can do when you step into a new position as the "boss" is to try to immediately change things to try to impress the people who put you in the position.

People know their jobs. They really resent some knowitall upstart coming in and trying to change things. Get to know your co-workers before expecting their cooperation. You have to get to know your job and the best way to do that is to let them train you. If you think about it, all middle management is, is an interface between upper management and the real workers. That's it.
Answered By: hushnowjustplayit - 12/4/2006
They are challenging your assertiveness....If you have not had special training you could find problems. People management is a skill you need to acquire.
Answered By: Stumpy - 12/4/2006
You must let them know who is in control. Couldn't you tell your boss.???

Good Luck
Answered By: dm_overton - 12/4/2006
It depends on the situation. Are they older than you? Do they know that you have never done this before? Can you do anything about it if they don't do what you ask?

Some people challenge managers to see what they are about. What you have to do is let them know that you are in control, if that's the case. Ask them why they refuse. If they want to know why, tell them because you asked them to do it. Have a meeting with your staff. Let them know that you are a team player. In order to get the job done, everyone has to work together.
Source(s):
BA in Leadership with 4.0 GPA
Answered By: temejo1 - 12/4/2006
If they don't do it, call them into your office and meet with them.

Tell them that their behavior is unacceptable and they're part of a team. Ask for their suggestions in making the 'team' work better. See what they'd like to see happen in the office.

If they don't shape up, ... fire 'em.
Answered By: ☆☆☆☆☆ - 12/4/2006
I have been in your spot before. They are questioning everything you do because this is new to them and like most people they are resistant to change. You have to keep in mind that you will always have Resistance until you earn their respect. Don't buddy up with them, just do your job well and be the leader they need.
Answered By: PATRICK M - 12/4/2006
Devil and deep blue sea here? Your new at this position, you have alot to learn! You can not afford to be too friendly or to approachable, you gotta find that happy medium? Difficult to answer as i'm not holding all information of concern to me here?Why is a spreadsheet needed? You have not explained ?
Answered By: LEX - 12/4/2006
Pick the one that is the most difficult and make an example out of them.
When they ask you why the spreadsheet is needed tell them it's because you say so. Then tell them your impute will be needed for their performance evaluation. Ask them if they think good input from you will be needed.
Answered By: n317537 - 12/4/2006
Good question, been there too. First of all, you are not there to be liked but to be effective - remember that and use it as your mantra. The workers are trying you out and your reaction to this will determine how your future at the company goes. Be firm, be polite, don't ask for something to be done. Don't even say "I need this done" - just put something on the desk and say "this needs to be done by ....(whenever") and walk away. Don't try and be 'chummy' with your staff - you will never get anything done. You have to be firm and effective and once you have got over the initial h**p, and they see that you aren't one of their gang, then you will get things done. Sure, you'll be talked about behind your back but haven't we all bitched about the boss before?
Golden rules - always polite, always firm, always fair.
And if you don't get the work done by them, speak to them on a one to one basis (never as a group, they'll all be smirking) and remind them, firmly, that they're employed to do this work and you're employed to manage them, simple as that.
Good luck, I know it isn't easy. Welcome to the world of management.
Answered By: gorgeousfluffpot - 12/4/2006
Why not take the equality approach - ask them how they would like to solve the problems of work and sort it out amongst themselves -just ask , get them involved rather than telling
Answered By: Vicki W - 12/4/2006
A couple of random sackings should do the business!!
Answered By: ry_in_dubai - 12/4/2006
Show your teeth, issue verbal warnings, followed by written warnings. This is followed by the sack, but they will get the way you intend to operate. Management is a lonely job. You will find that a verbal warning is usually enough. In any case if you follow the above procedure, you will not come to grief with the law, or the unions.
Source(s):
Fifty years, management, and own business.
Answered By: Norman H - 12/4/2006
If they don,t do as you ask then ask them why and if they don,t come up with a decent answer then you must go through the stages of discipline, verbal warning, written warning, then final written warning, then the sack. i hope this helps you . do not be taken advantage of.
Answered By: pk - 12/4/2006
Seek out the ring leader and make a good example of them,first call a verbal warning tell him or her it going down on record that this has been issued.don't let them get on top keep in there faces.remember you av loads of friends at work and life but sit back and think about it and i bet you can only count true ones on one hand.
Answered By: ebo - 12/4/2006
When i started a new job as manager i had the same problem, one member of staff intended to get the managment job but didnt have the experience so i was employed over internal staff. In my job it was intended i should start at 9am, However i was still learning the companys stratergies, The office was open at 7am. Everytime i arrived ot work the member of staff (who was now my assistant) was sitting in my chair doing my paperwork. I knew i had a fight on my hands. I then turned up at 7am sat in my chair and gave her duties for the day, she eventually realised who was boss and sadly she left not able to accept. I have had that job for 17years now and have a good team, A manager should be a leader earn respect , be fair but firm, Remember you have earned that possition its yours take no prisoners.
Answered By: cookie - 12/4/2006
It is always human nature to harrass newcomers.
however please find out how previous bosses used to handle the employees and the approach they used. instruct worker as individuals not as a mob,assign specific jobs to individuals ,then give deadlines at negotiable rtaes of completion,be friendly but remember work has to be done and yuo are the boss here
Answered By: idah - 12/4/2006
If any of my staff questioned me for something I had asked them to do, they would be straight down to the unemployment office, I don't question them on what they spend their wages on.
Answered By: jeff k - 12/4/2006
If things ain't sorted you will get Ur ass kicked by your manager these people have no respect for you don't be scared of showing your authority as long as you discipline them following the correct procedure u have nothing to worry about they are getting paid to do a job be tough now else they will keep taking advantage your job will become harder for you the longer this goes on good luck remember nobody likes there boss so don't take things personally
Answered By: xxdeb_badxx - 12/4/2006
You are in a very difficult situation. Your staff are all adults though and should be treated as such. They do deserve an explanation of what they are doing and why they are doing it. People hate doing meaningless, pointless work, but work enthusiastically if they understand that what they are doing is important.

You can also use the 'good cop bad cop' technique and explain that senior management is forcing you to implement the changes and that you will do everything you can to make things easier.

Also you need to be careful about differentiating between requesting and asking. Asking implies that the person has the option of answering 'no'. Requesting is politely telling them to do it.

You might be able to split up the 'gang' by speaking to people individually and finding out what they are annoyed about and don't like. See if you can get anyone on your side.

Hope that helps a bit.
Answered By: SmartBlonde - 12/4/2006
Depends how you ask
they should do as you ask them, but then again if its not part of their job description and they have already got enough to do without, the extra work you can hardly blame them for being arkward.
explain the resaons for needing the information, you never know somebody may have an alternative soultion.
Listen to there views.
Answered By: RED - 12/4/2006
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