The Making of a Manager: What to Do When Everyone Looks to You

by Julie Zhuo

ALWAYS WALK THE WALK People watch their bosses closely to understand the team’s values and norms. Our radars are fine-tuned to spot instances where someone in a position of authority says one thing and does another. This is one of the fastest ways to lose trust. Consider the following examples: A manager asks his team to spend company money wisely, but then splurges on a fancy desk and couch for his office. A manager expresses annoyance when her report shows up after a meeting has already started, but she herself is five minutes late to everything. A manager says he wants more diverse perspectives on the team but only promotes people who think like him. A manager says a top goal is to create a supportive work environment, but she has a tendency to lose her temper and chew out her reports. A CEO says that the goal of his company is to serve a social mission, but his decisions read like they are favoring short-term profits.