How Do We Teach a New Manager to Change His Dictatorial Style?

How Do We Teach a New Manager to Change His Dictatorial Style?
	We've recently promoted someone to manager who is very young and inexperienced. His way of dealing with his team has suddenly changed to a "dictatorship." How do you teach him the best ways to lead and manage his team before he actually kills morale within his team?—Toppling a Dictator, database operations manager, software/systems, San Diego
	First, management often falls short in what it can do to effectively guide a new boss. The promotion might have been made for the classic reason: "Joe or Mary was a great sales performer or great engineer, so he or she will make a great manager." But right out of the gate, management needs to clearly communicate the company mission, the style of communication or management, and other expectations of the manager. Once a new boss exhibits dictatorial behavior, it's important to "not let it go"--it simply won't get better on its own, and moralecan be decimated in a nanosecond. Work closely with the new manager, with these thoughts in mind: Tell him you've had feedback from his reports about his authoritarian style. Be clear that you've observed it as his boss, which will ease the perception that he's being ganged up on by everyone under him. Be prepared to call in a coach who specializes in advising on this type of leadership issue. Understand that he is probably not aware he's acting in an outdated "command and control" style. He may have had a boss manage him like that and he's simply emulating what he thinks is an effective style. Understand also that he, like many new bosses, may not know about measurements of progress like 360-degree feedback. An outside advisor can work well and be less intimidating in assisting him to change his style of leadership. Simple, constructive feedback is the best teacher. If and when pushback comes, try to understand why he feels threatened or angry. Let the opinions flow rather than be too quick to lecture or dictate. He is in a learning role, and helping him understand what he is doing wrong takes time and a great deal of communication. When all is said and done, becoming a manager and winning the support of your team is challenging, but can be readily achieved with the right approach and preparation.     [SOURCE: Bill Morin, chairman and CEO, WJM Associates Inc., New York City, October 19, 2006.]