Reply #3: It's just stupid - I was a supervisor for about 15 years

[olddem43]

I found that you get far more done by being respectful, explaining goals, asking for cooperation and showing how what needs to be done is in the employee's self interest. Being able to listen yields rewards, as sometimes the workers have a better idea how to do things. Even if not, it shows respect and that's what everyone deserves. Intimidation should only be used as a last resort, for the real obstructionist employee, who should probably be fired anyway. With a top-down type mentality, you end up with something like the Nixon White House or the current White House, where no one can tell the boss that something isn't right. I always felt that I owed my boss an objective view of the advantages and disadvantages of any proposed action. It didn't always make me popular with them but the company was better off, in my opinion.