Comments on: Blowing Your Cool Can Be a Good Management Tool

By: HR Executive

HR Executive — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 16:59:38 +0000

I agree with the author. It is important that employees appreciate that they must accurately and effectively ensure timely completion of projects, and that is why they have been engaged to work for the company. Interestly when a female executive takes this difficult stance (although strategically) they are perceived as being a bully.

Leadership can strive to provide an environment that supports risk taking and the development of talent through internal and external resources. None of that dismisses the necessity of the talent to complete the work. When projects are mishandled or fail to move forward within the time line, it does not diminish senior leadership being held accountable. Over my career I have seen employees provide excuse after excuse and then become upset because leadership did not step in and do their job.

The work must be completed and it many times it is the passion of the executive who says you have not been successful-you have mislead us and mismanaged the execution of this project. Definately is should be used judically but being blunt and honest is important too. We learn from our mistakes and our successes.

By: Totally Consumed

Totally Consumed — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 19:05:36 +0000

I definitely agree that there is a time to be passionate about what you believe and the point you want to get across.

I would be wary and purposeful though about how I went about it. Make sure that blowing your top is rare, as in no more than once or twice a decade; and make sure it is not over something petty but only when the most crucial of values/issues are on the line.

By: Toni

Toni — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 18:49:06 +0000

I think that I can appreciate your point of view, as long as you qualify your statement–you blow your cool as a last resort. \

By: Jackie Aquino

Jackie Aquino — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 15:29:02 +0000

I disagree with your article about blowing your cool when managing others. It has been my experience that this type of behavior only demotivates and hinders workers productivity. It also puts you in a position of distrust and disrespect. Fear is not a motivator any longer. Young workers today will leave. They have an attitude that “they don’t deserve to be treated that way” and they will go somewhere where they will be treated better. You lose quality workers that way. I would not encourage managers to “blow their cool.” You open a Pandora’s box. You open yourself up to harassment and a hostile work environment.