The phrase "familiarity breeds contempt" is more than a trite saying. It has every grain of truth that "gravity works" does.
As the owner/manager/foreman you gotta hold a tight line. Even though it is laudable to expect the best from people the harsh reality is that everyone, including ourselves, will often and eventually settle into a comfort zone of least resistance. It is simply nature.
That's why, "give 'em an inch and they'll take a mile!" is a truism.
I really hated working for A**hole bosses in the past, always reminding me and riding my back. It wasn't until I proved I was going to do the job well and right that they would start leaving me alone to do it.
A mentor once said, "Make 'em hate you at first, then you can be their buddy later."
I've ignored that advise for years because what I thought he meant reminded me of power-drunk jerks that reminded me of those little bald, weasel bosses you just want to squash!
Ignore the advise I did and have had an uphill battle in every project, work or otherwise, that I've needed a team of people for.
I now realize he meant that I should draw the line of what is acceptable and what is not, don't let anyone cross it without consequence, hold their feet to the fire and when they think "it" can't be done, get in there and do "it" alongside them to prove otherwise. And then, cut them loose and let them do their job.
I realize that's what my hard-a**ed bosses had done with me...and I hated them for it!
I ended up enjoying those jobs and having a lot of respect and gratitude towards those managers and even became drinking buddies with some of them,
I've recently tried implementing the "draw the line" approach and have found productivity & quality of product, and worker to have gone up...Go figure!?
So, be the toughest and fairest boss you can be to your crew and you will likely see awsome results.
You'll probably chase a few away before it clicks, but then again, if they are not on board with your program they aren't the right match for your team. And THAT is something to think about.
Good Luck!
