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Are You Michael Scott?
No one wants to be a bad boss, but it’s all too easy to let a friendly relationship interfere with your responsibilities as a manager. Take this quiz to see if your repartee with your staff boosts morale or hinders productivity.


1. Is it better to be feared or loved?



Feared because of how much you are loved


2. When is it appropriate to delegate your responsibilities?

When it’s in the best interest of the company.

 

3. When faced with the possibility of downsizing, what do you do for your staff?

Tell them nothing—the less they know, the better.
Have a serious sit-down meeting with the entire staff to let them know about the problem and address any concerns.

 

4. As a manager, how should your staff view you?

As someone to be taken seriously.
As someone who is available to listen to work related problems, but not a colleague.
c. As a friend, always ready for a fun time

5. How often do you email your staff?

As needed, but rarely
. Face-to-face contact is more effective, but when
that’s not possible, I e-mail to check in.
c. Every funny email I get, I forward to my staff.



6. How do you encourage new employees?

Give them a tour, tell them my door is always open and deal with their concerns as they arise.
After their first month, take them out to lunch and go over the work they have done.
c. Have them run personal errands to make them feel like an integral part of my life

 

7. When the need arises to let someone go, how do you handle the situation?

Immediately and decisively
the situation to the person over lunch, but remain resolute.
c. Ask for the advice of the staff.


8. How do you handle performance reviews?

The week before, I look over my staff’s sales records.
I spend the year tracking performance along with other intangibles.
c. I go on the fly; I believe a lot can be learned about someone’s performance through dialogue.

 

9. How do you react to success of your sales staff?

I’m happy for them, but I don’t want to dwell on their success. The next quarter is only a few months away.
Like a proud parent: I’m excited that my staff did well, but I realize it was their own hard work that led to their success.
c. I’m jealous of their recognition.


10. As a boss, you see yourself as a...


Leader
Friend

 

If you selected...

Most A’s: The Ice Man Cometh
You take your management position seriously and keep your staff at a professional distance. While no one would ever accuse you of ignoring the boundaries between work and play, your serious attitude might have a detrimental effect on office morale. Lighten up: throw a pizza party or ice cream social to rally your staff.


Mostly B’s: The Dream Boss
You try to create a personal relationship with all your employees, but you still respect your role as boss. Keep up the good work!


Mostly C’s: You Could Have Your Own Sitcom on NBC
Everyone wants to be liked, but part of being boss means making difficult decisions. Don’t forget you’re the coach of your sales team, not the star shooter. Your antics are probably not funny to your staff. Take a more professional tact and embrace your role as a manager.

 
 
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Jan. 01 - Dec. 31, 2010
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Sharpen your skills, accelerate your career and earn CEUs with a Professional Certificate from Ithaca College. Training magazine is a proud co-sponsor of the following online professional certificate programs:

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