Chapter 3: Excuses For Not Supervising

Question 1

Rather than calling them excuses, the author refers to them as what? This term emphasizes that supervisors fail to act because of pressures they impose on ____.

Answer 1

self-induced pressures; themselves

Question 2

With a desire to be liked, don’t worry about being liked, just do what?

Answer 2

the right thing

Question 3

Employees fall into what two broad categories?

Answer 3

normal and problem

Question 4

A normal employee wants a supervisor that will hold the problem employee ____.

Answer 4

accountable

Question 5

A problem employee will only like you if you allow them to do what?

Answer 5

anything they want with no supervision

Question 6

Being a jerk is the opposite of being liked, so treat people ___, ____, and with ____.

Answer 6

fairly, consistently, and with respect

Question 7

What is the 18-40-60 rule?

Answer 7

At 18 yoa, you ask, “what did they say about me?” At 40 yoa, you say, “I don’t care what people think about me.” At 60 yoa, you realize that no one was even talking about you.

Question 8

What are the 9 self-induced pressures for supervisors outlined in this chapter?

Answer 8

1. desire to be liked
2. they are my friends
3. I use to do it
4. the old-timer
5. peer pressure
6. no support from management
7. concerned about the discipline
8. I agree with the employee
9. It’s just a little thing (added as a chapter)

Question 9

When a problem supervisor faces a colleague that supervises, he faces what two options?

Answer 9

1. change and rise to peer’s standards

2. attempt to influence his peer and lower him to his standards

Question 10

No problem employee wants to admit that their behavior is ____.

Answer 10

wrong

Question 11

Why can’t problem employees change?

Answer 11

they are dysfunctional to begin with

Question 12

When supervisors are concerned about the discipline, they may fail to ___ ___ or may ___ __ ____.

Answer 12

take action or cover up misconduct

Question 13

What are two inherent problems with a supervisor being concerned with discipline?

Answer 13

1. erodes discipline system

2. the problem employee has no reason to change his conduct

Question 14

A simple fact of human nature is that is if a individual faces no consequences, he will not do what?

Answer 14

change his behavior

Question 15

In regards to disparaging remarks made by an employee, one of the responsibilities of a supervisor is to maintain ___ and ___.

Answer 15

order and professionalism

Question 16

The most common excuse from a supervisor for choosing to ignore improper behavior was what?

Answer 16

it’s just a little thing