Guess what that jerk did today!?

I wonder how many bosses ever think about how their employees talk about them to others. I know that, on occasion, when I've asked this in leadership classes, some have said that they don't care, it doesn't worry them, they've got a job to do and are not there to win a popularity contest... and I can see a grain of truth in this. 

On the other hand, they do need to win a daily battle for hearts and minds if their organisations, teams or wrk units are to survive and thrive... and being considered a jerk might just suggest that they are losing this battle.

Anyway, given the well documented costs of incivility in the workplace (loss of productivity, increased turnover, increased absenteeism just for starters) it seems to me that it's worth considering whether, if you're a boss, you're the jerk at work who, in their minds, justifies putting in less effort, care or thought; who gives them a good reason for late return from breaks; for 'not-my-job' style shrugs & hand-offs; for an extra sickday (or mental health day) now and again... and whether these behaviours then fuel your frustration, and whether you use this frustration to justify your incivility and jerk-like behaviours... and so on.

If you are in a leadership role.. I wonder how long it might take you to turn things around and what your first steps might be... 

Hi, honey I'm home! Wait 'til you hear what the boss did today... I cannot believe how lucky I am to have such a great boss, especially when I hear what some of my friends put up with!