Comments on: A little experiment – how happy and productive are you at work?

By: Jamie Huskisson

Jamie Huskisson — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 23:32:27 +0000

I’ve definitely had all 12 of these though I was a managing director at the time. These values and core ethics are applied from the top down and I expect those that worked with me during that time would hit a high number of these too.

I have to agree with you above, it’s all about the confidence that transcends through the business.

By: Daniel Davies :: Blog :: links for 2009-02-23

Daniel Davies :: Blog :: links for 2009-02-23 — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 18:02:45 +0000

[...] for the client which I, from experience, can vouch for. (tags: wordpress plugins cms viability) A little experiment – how happy and productive are you at work? — Antonio Gould Interesting article, perhaps the best bits being the comments. Its about satisfaction at work, and [...]

By: Zoe

Zoe — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 18:57:25 +0000

I scored 8/12 but I’m a business partner so it should be at least that. Sometimes it is I that put limits on things and sometimes the limits are beyond anyone’s control.

By: Susi Oneill

Susi Oneill — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 12:32:11 +0000

Thanks for this useful post Antonio. I guess this about environment as much as management – I would say too critical things to saying ‘yes’ would be goals and communication – if your goals are achievable, you can say yes to more. If your team and organisation all communicate – both internally and to clients – you’ll hit more yes’s too.

You’re lucky – I can say I’ve never had more than a 50% hit on this list.

What about freelancers? I work for myself, something driect to client, sometimes in bespoke temporary teams. How can we aim to get more ticks on the list? Development and praise are definitely lacking areas.

By: Sara Shawwa-Jobling

Sara Shawwa-Jobling — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 14:07:46 +0000

I have never been in a paid job where I can answer yes to every one of those questions. I feel that is lack of confidence on my part and on the part of the manager. Although managers need to be assertive, they tend to veer towards aggression or go completely the other way and become passive. Neither of these create confidence in a subordinate. This is where the problems begin.

A good manager is a very special find, but it is also up to the person working under him/her to work on their own issues to then create a good working relationship and then to be able to tick ‘yes’ to all of those questions.

By: Antonio

Antonio — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 00:25:34 +0000

Nick – you’ve hit the nail on the head when you say it requires confidence – I think a lot of people are bad managers simply because they’re insecure.

They have to micromanage, meddle and keep people in their place because they feel like they might be undermined if they don’t.

It’s such a shame as it has exactly the opposite effect. I think the best managers hire great people, set the right objectives and then get out of the way to let them do their job properly.

By: Nick

Nick — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 00:16:54 +0000

It’s list which almost describes a workplace valentine. I’ve had places with almost zero.

It takes genuine generosity and attention and confidence for a boss to provide a big chunk of this list. Those people are worth staying close too.