Give you a company, see how you manage

Chapter 53 "Distance" and "Beauty"

It is not a trivial matter for a manager to grasp the "sense of distance" between him and his employees-too caring will "add chaos", and too inconsiderate will "out".Therefore, what kind of "distance" is the "most beautiful" is really a big problem that requires careful thinking.As the saying goes: "distance" produces "beauty".Whether you agree with this sentence or not, you certainly cannot deny the fact that there is indeed a "causal relationship" between "distance" and "beauty".The same is true in the management world.I have always believed that grasping the "distance" between leaders and employees is a very important management topic.

This is especially true in our Chinese enterprises.The corporate culture in foreign countries is based on "things". As long as everyone understands the "things" they should do, everything will be fine.Chinese companies are different. Our corporate culture is based on "people", and all "things" are implemented and completed in the process of dealing with "people".That is to say, as long as we are honest enough, we will all admit one thing: in Chinese enterprises, "people" are more important than "things".If you can't handle "people", you can't handle "things".Therefore, how to deal with "people" has become a subject that every manager has to face and study.Because of this, virtually every manager has more or less considered the issue of "distance" from employees.Because this is a very real problem that we have to face almost every day, and if we don’t grasp it well, it will really cause trouble.

So, what kind of "distance" relationship should be maintained with employees in order to receive the "most beautiful" effect?Based on my many years of experience, the answer may be highly summarized in one word: inseparable.Whether it is for high-level managers or low-level managers, getting "too close" to employees can certainly be praised as "approachable" and win "popularity" and "prestige" for themselves, but because employees treat you too I am familiar with it, so I will not be afraid of you, become disobedient, and greatly reduce your execution ability.Conversely, if you are too far away from the employees and have a strong sense of mystery, the employees will be afraid of you and will be very obedient, but at the same time you will fly from the "world" to the "fairyland". "Time" matters will be out of your reach—your information channels will become more and more blocked, and will become more and more out of touch with the actual situation of the company.In the end, you become a "lonely man" and "flying fairy in the sky".When I first joined the current company, I once made a joke to my subordinates: "If one day you see me from afar and turn around and run away, it means that I am too strict with you and should be gentler; but if One day when you see me from afar, you can't wait to pounce on me and give me a kiss, which means that I am too gentle with you, and I will be stricter and make you more difficult."This is my "Never mind" theory.

In fact, I have always been in favor of the "approachable" style of company managers, especially senior leaders.Because this style of work is crucial to forming a fresh, healthy and vibrant corporate culture.In practice, I myself have always insisted on "one-on-one" communication with ordinary employees of the company, even the cleaning lady, to listen to their voices and help them resolve their troubles in work and life.Because I have always believed that for ordinary employees, if the depression accumulated in their hearts cannot be effectively vented and resolved for a long time, it will seriously affect their work enthusiasm and work efficiency.Therefore, it is very important to actively listen to their voices and provide them with a "catharsis" channel.And, generally speaking, employees are not too demanding.They don't always hope that their problems can be completely solved. Sometimes, as long as someone is willing to listen to his "talking" (let alone the "listening" of the senior leaders of the company), it will greatly improve his psychology. balance.However, this kind of "listening" by managers is sometimes accompanied by great disadvantages: since it is "confiding", and the other party is an executive of the company, it is inevitable that they will complain and make small reports—how is Zhang San? , what happened to Li Si.If your "ears are soft" and you immediately intervene in the affairs of these "Zhang's parents and Li's family", you will run the risk of "destroying the darker" and "disturbing the water".You can't afford the crime that the company's leaders "actively" muddy the water and "destroy" the harmonious atmosphere of the enterprise.

At this time, you need to consciously maintain a certain "distance" with employees, and not be "too caring".For example, if an employee reports to you a "problem" with his supervisor.You must express your understanding—"I can understand your current mood, let me compare my heart!", and don't promise anything easily—"I will understand what you said. But maybe he also has his difficulties. I hope you can think about it. Open up." Leaders are most afraid of "promising" and "choosing sides" easily.Because dealing with the relationship between Chinese people is the most difficult thing in the world.It is impossible for you to "balance a bowl of water" and achieve "happy everyone" results.In general, your hasty words and deeds can only "muddy" the water and make things more chaotic.Therefore, the more sensitive the issue, the more senior leaders should not easily express their views.Even if there is a "situation", try to settle it through your middle-level supervisor, you only need to "operate" behind the scenes.All in all, it is not a trivial matter for a manager to grasp the "sense of distance" between him and his employees-too caring will "add chaos", and being too inconsiderate will "out".Therefore, what kind of "distance" is the "most beautiful" is really a big problem that requires careful thinking.

(End of this chapter)