The worst piece of advice I ever received was around managing
a team, and that to do this effectively I should create an
environment of fear to start with, as from fear would come
respect and people responding to my "leadership" - needless to
say this was an obvious bad piece of advice which I dutifully
ignored...
Business Advice: Thanks for Nothing!
By Brian Haverty | April 14, 2010
Aussie Rules
BNET Australia Contributors
Biography
BNET Australia Contributors
Brian Haverty is editorial director for CBS Interactive Australia and is responsible for the company's BNET and ZDNet Australia sites.
Robert Gerrish is a coach, author and professional speaker and the founder of Flying Solo, an Australian online community for solo business owners.
Melissa Lourenco is the HR manager for CBS Interactive in Australia.
Chris Golis is the author of The Humm Handbook: Lifting Your Level of Emotional Intelligence. He runs seminars and workshops on EQ.
Suzi Dafnis is Community Director of the Australian Businesswomen's Network.
Yvonne Adele helps organisations build a culture of ideas by teaching people at all levels to access their untapped creative thinking skills.
Penelope Trunk’s blog post caused a bit of a BNET storm when she related the three worst pieces of advice she’d received from women. So I thought I’d take this opportunity to ask our Australian audience to chime in with their worst bum steers, from either sex.
In the comment section below, please tell us the worst bit of business advice you’ve ever been given. Next Wednesday, I’ll pick the top three and and we’ll send out Dale Carnegie’s book, Leadership Mastery, to the winners. (Special thanks to sister company Simon & Schuster for the prizes.)
I suppose it’s only fair for me to start things off, so here’s mine:
Mum’s the Word
If you communicate to people you manage all the difficulties the company is facing in tough times, it might demotivate staff, or they might pass on that confidential information to people outside the company — and then where would you be? Best to keep it all confidential.
In my experience, the opposite is true. Keeping your people in the loop during tough times can actually motivate them to pull together and work harder.
OK, now it’s your turn. Please add your nuggets of undavisable advice below.
More from “Aussie Rules”
Talkback 15 Talkbacks
BNET Blogger
RE: Business Advice: Thanks for Nothing!
GeorgieTaylor
04/14/2010 06:02 PM
RE: Business Advice: Thanks for Nothing!
The one that comes to mind is "Manager's do not apologise - it
is a sign of weakness". The source of that doozy gave me a
puzzled look when my jaw dropped to the ground...
is a sign of weakness". The source of that doozy gave me a
puzzled look when my jaw dropped to the ground...
Meli55a
04/14/2010 07:29 PM
RE: Business Advice: Thanks for Nothing!
A peer once told me if senior management doesn't ask then don't raise the issue. Wait until they find out and deal with it then. Contrary, to positive advice "No Surprises" received frequently from a senior executive.
St. Martin
04/14/2010 07:49 PM
RE: Business Advice: Thanks for Nothing!
Mine was similar to Meli55a. I was told not to apologize and never to say please.
I don't over apologize, but if I'm wrong I own it...and please is just too ingrained to rout out of my vocabulary even if I wanted to - which I didn't.
The heart of the advice was basically people will only do what they're told, not what they're asked, and that people mistake courtesy for weakness.
Bad advice on two levels. It's never a good idea try to act in a manner in conflict with who you are inherently, and I have had far better results treating the people with whom I work civilly than my advice giver ever did with his approach.
I don't over apologize, but if I'm wrong I own it...and please is just too ingrained to rout out of my vocabulary even if I wanted to - which I didn't.
The heart of the advice was basically people will only do what they're told, not what they're asked, and that people mistake courtesy for weakness.
Bad advice on two levels. It's never a good idea try to act in a manner in conflict with who you are inherently, and I have had far better results treating the people with whom I work civilly than my advice giver ever did with his approach.
JamieMMP
04/15/2010 08:11 AM
BNET Blogger
RE: Business Advice: Thanks for Nothing!
I would have to say "be modest" - modesty is a good characteristic to have, however, office politics is very prevalent. If you successfully completed a project or deserve credit for a project, take it with confidence!
cindy.yang@...
04/15/2010 09:13 AM
RE: Business Advice: Thanks for Nothing!
"Don't share that idea. You might be embarrassed".
anandparajuli
04/19/2010 07:09 PM
RE: Business Advice: Thanks for Nothing!
Day 1 of my dream job a more senior colleague volunteered the
secret of his success - and advised me to follow suit.
His 'pearl of wisdom'? "Cover your desk with paper so you look
busy - and you won't be bothered".
Suffice to say I didn't - but he was right in a way... no-one
bothered with him and he quietly left a few months later!
secret of his success - and advised me to follow suit.
His 'pearl of wisdom'? "Cover your desk with paper so you look
busy - and you won't be bothered".
Suffice to say I didn't - but he was right in a way... no-one
bothered with him and he quietly left a few months later!
pettalk
04/19/2010 07:17 PM
RE: Business Advice: Thanks for Nothing!
You can't do it! - A piece of 'advice' I take great pleasure in proving wrong.
Ian J Lowe
04/19/2010 08:28 PM
RE: Business Advice: Thanks for Nothing!
"Deny, deny, deny. If it all goes wrong, make sure they think it was someone else's fault." Very dodgy indeed. However, it seems to work in politics.
ksfenton
04/19/2010 11:06 PM
RE: Business Advice: Thanks for Nothing!
It is better to be consistent than to be correct!
justsayclint@...
04/20/2010 01:00 AM
RE: Business Advice: Thanks for Nothing!
"Fake it ...
Until you make it!"
Motivational advice to the Bernie Madoff's of this world...
Until you make it!"
Motivational advice to the Bernie Madoff's of this world...
denk12
04/20/2010 05:41 AM
BNET Blogger
RE: Business Advice: Thanks for Nothing!
i second denk12! Fake it till you make it!!!
cindy.yang@...
04/20/2010 03:48 PM
BNET Blogger
RE: Business Advice: Thanks for Nothing!
Wow, some great "worst advice" flowing through, today is the last day to enter to win a Dale Carnegie book, so can anyone top the "worst advice" so far??
GeorgieTaylor
04/20/2010 03:50 PM
RE: Business Advice: Thanks for Nothing!
Thank you for your responses. As promised, three of you will receive Dale Carnegie's book Leadership Mastery. And the winners are:
Pettalk ("Cover your desk with paper so you look busy - and you won't be bothered")
Ian J Lowe ("You can't do it")
ksfenton ("Deny, deny, deny")
Congratulations to all three of you. Please email your mailing addresses to media-au@bnet.com, and we'll get your books sent out to you. Thank you all again for participating!
Brian
Pettalk ("Cover your desk with paper so you look busy - and you won't be bothered")
Ian J Lowe ("You can't do it")
ksfenton ("Deny, deny, deny")
Congratulations to all three of you. Please email your mailing addresses to media-au@bnet.com, and we'll get your books sent out to you. Thank you all again for participating!
Brian
brian.haverty@...
04/28/2010 09:53 PM
RE: Business Advice: Thanks for Nothing!
Einstein's teacher to his father:
"It doesn't matter what he does, he will never amount to anything"
"It doesn't matter what he does, he will never amount to anything"
tigre1852
05/19/2010 08:16 PM
