I frequently mentor others who are struggling at work, or are in career transition, and one topic seems to always come up: “I don’t like my manager!”  After over a decade of conversations about this, the “I don’t like my manager” mantra continues to be discussed. When you hear the stories of why they are saying what they’re saying about their managers, you’d understand that these people are usually right.  The question is… Why? Why are so many people damaged by so many managers?  I believe it comes down to two major reasons.

The first reason is training, or lack thereof.  Most companies select employees to become managers because they are promoting top performers.  Looks good on paper, but who’s to say that these top performers are actually aware of what makes them top performers?  Most top performers operate in an “unconsciously competent” manner. That means that there’s a good chance they are completely unaware of what they are doing that’s leading to his or her success.  That also means transferring these skills and tactics to others is nearly impossible. Sadly, there’s also an equal chance that these managers are operating from an “unconsciously incompetent” level when they are acting as managers which indicates they are completely unaware of what they are doing wrong in their role as a manager.

Actual management training would address both of these issues because when done properly, these programs teach actual process behaviors and tactics that are measurable.  These programs teach vital skills that don’t come from simply being successful in your previous role.  They are taught topics such as delegation, recognition, correcting job behavior, and a lot more.

The second reason there is so much dysfunction between managers and employees is a bit scarier to me, and it’s the single, biggest blind spot the vast majority of managers succumb to.  It’s a natural instinct to want to teach, and demonstrate, to those they manage according to a philosophy I call, “my way or the highway.”  I’m quite sure you’ve heard a version of this at some point in your life – from either a coach or a manager. This form of managing basically teaches others to learn the way a manager communicates, motivates, and demotivates, conform to that style, and work within those confines.

Perhaps this syndrome is more noticeable with coaches.  Like bad managers, bad coaches tend to follow the “my way or the highway” form of managing players all the time.  It might be hard to see this because many of these superstar coaches, who get a lot of the headlines coaching in college, have their pick of the best players in the country.  One, single, management style can look like it’s working because of the success of the team.  But when these coaches jump to the pros, and have a mixed bag of talent like all the other coaches, it catches up with them surprisingly fast.  Just ask any of the long list of highly successful college coaches who ventured into the professional ranks and failed.

It’s really not that complicated.  Great coaches evaluate talent, and determine what motivates and demotivates each player.  Then, they adapt their communication styles to teach, motivate, and inspire the personnel they are working with.  That’s exactly what great managers do, which is the complete opposite of that misguided, pesky “my way of the highway” approach.  This brings up the crux of the matter:

~How can you get the most out of someone by managing to your strengths and not theirs?~

In business or in sports, the goal is to get the most out of each and every one of your personnel.  Formalized management and leadership training will certainly help, but I’m hoping for more.  I’m hoping that somewhere in that training, managers are taught this one, simple concept: You’ll get far more out of the people you manage, and be far more successful as a team, if you manage to the strengths of each individual, and not to your own strengths.

What do you get when combine energy, enthusiasm… and great content?  You get a “Pocket Sized Pep Talk!”  Tune in and you’ll hear a collection of BLArticles®, conversations, and interviews that are sure to teach, motivate, inspire, and dare I say, entertain!   https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pocket-sized-pep-talks/id1497772972

I recently appeared on, “It’s Not Rocket Science! Five Questions Over Coffee,” a fun podcast with Stuart Webb.   You can listen to the podcast here:

• On Facebook com/INRSFQOC
• On Youtube – https://youtu.be/KJBK0dm-VaU
• On Linkedin – com/posts/stuartwebb_a-sought-after-speaker-and-best-selling-author-activity-6858787689332920320-zhxC

If you are looking for something to listen to on your next coffee break you might enjoy this brief chat between me and Tom Bailey, Founder of Succeed Through Speaking and the Succeed Through Speaking podcast. Listen closely if you would like some high value ideas to boost your business results.

• You can read the transcript here – https://bit.ly/3BOfU7o
• You can watch the podcast here – https://youtu.be/w-QgGvweE2M
• You can listen to the podcast here – https://apple.co/2YVGWuN

I Zoomed my way to India to speak with Motivational Diaries, and Ashish Janiani.  We spoke for about 30 minutes about sales processes and training for success.

Sales Process To Sales Success || Interview With Robert Jolles – YouTube

If you want to read some “Life Lessons” I was able to share in a recent interview, you’ll find them here:  https://worldclassperformer.com/short-life-lessons-from-robert-jolles/

I had the pleasure of appearing on Robert Miller’s, Follow Your Dream Podcast and thoroughly enjoyed the discussion.  We go way back in this conversation to my first memories of performance… at age four!  I’m sure you’ll enjoy it!  https://follow-your-dream.simplecast.com/episodes/rob-jolles-superstar-salesman

I also mixed it up with a wonderful podcaster, Terry McDougall on her Marketing Mambo show.  As she puts it, we “Cha-cha-chatted!”  If you want to hear sales and marketing go toe-to-toe, you’ll enjoy this show. https://www.buzzsprout.com/1569061/8172686-the-art-of-influence-in-sales-and-marketing-with-rob-jolles

I recently did a podcast with a wonderful, new, and up-and-coming star named Jahmaal Marshall.  His podcast is called, “Listen Then Speak.”  I’ve done a lot of podcasts, but we got into topics I rarely talk about, and I’m quite sure you’ll enjoy the show!  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/listen-then-speak/id1550684472

I’ve appeared on the “Small Business Advocate Show” with Jim Blasingame for almost 20 years now, and you’ll find dozens of our conversations on his website.  We just sat down a few weeks ago for a great conversation about selling fundamentals and the strategic use of stories.  Here’s a link to over 100 interviews done over the years, including my most recent interview that explores our many behaviors we display that are based more on a default mechanism than actual logic. https://www.smallbusinessadvocate.com/small-business-experts/rob-jolles-134

We posted a video series on delivering amazing online presentations with my friend, Jeremy Webb.  We go over some great stuff including:

• How to Select the Best Equipment for Online Presentations
• Pro Tips for Sustaining Interest in Online Presentations
• How to Look Like a Pro!
• Public Speaking Anxiety Tip
• Virtual Office Setup for Online Presentations

You’ll find the whole playlist here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRO7BsBDl6oL-6ZPW3O01x-g5PiR38ljL

I was recently interviewed on the “Salesman Podcast,” which was a lot of fun. If you’re looking to Change Minds, check out this podcast: https://www.salesman.org/the-simple-step-by-step-process-to-influence-anyone-with-rob-jolles/

I loved talking about the book, Why People Don’t Believe You on a podcast that I’m sure you’ll like called Onward Nation: https://predictiveroi.com/podcasts/rob-jolles/

After 30+ years as a professional speaker and trainer, one of the most common questions I get is this: “How do we make sure the training sticks?”  Take a moment and listen to this podcast; “SalesChats” with John Golden.  If you want to know why most training fails, listen up! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KR3dDOlTK7U&list=FLxBXKhqz0xBwbUPMqNthAJA&index=2&t=1293s