Management lessons from Joe Cabot

I’ve been a front-line manager for about six years now. Managing people can be a tricky business. There’s a fine line to being a manager who motivates people, and just being a supervisor who drives people towards results. If you focus on the results, you’ll fail in the process. So how do you dance the razor’s edge, how do you find that balance? When I’m in doubt, I turn to Joe Cabot.

Hiring and Staffing

“He’s the only one I wasn’t 100% on. I should have my fuckin’ head examined for going ahead when I wasn’t 100%.”

Staffing is critical to your success. Unfortunately for most of us front-line managers, there will eventually come a point when you have a critical staffing need. When that time comes, it’s easy to ignore your instincts, to focus more on filling the position rather than on filling it with the right candidate. But that ALWAYS comes at the expense of the team. Remember, it only takes one get other members of the team killed.

Lead By Example

“Cough up a buck, you cheap bastard. I paid for your goddamned breakfast.”

Showing appreciation for your employees can be a great motivational tool. Free Breakfast Day is only one of the many possibilities. Feel free to explore and find something that works for your team, such a providing free coffee if the team works mostly at night. Rewards like this could easily turn into a trap, however. You might inadvertently create an environment in which the team ONLY performs in the face of rewards. Don’t be shy about reminding stubborn team members that the team only succeeds when everyone contributes.

Take an Interest

“How’s Alabama? I thought you two were a team.”

Work doesn’t always have to focus on work. Remember, your team is still comprised of people, people with lives of their own. Share a drink with them, show them their lives are important to you, and they will be more committed to doing the job well.

Discipline

“You’re not Mr. Purple. You’re Mr. PINK! This ain’t a goddamned fuckin’ city council meeting, y’know.”

This one is the keystone. After buying breakfast and sharing drinks, it’s not uncommon for members of the team to over-estimate their own authority. Don’t be shy about reminding them that they’re stepping out of line. If you do, be firm. Respect gets lost in the gray areas. Respect them enough to be clear in your expectations, and they’ll respect your authority when you have to coach them.

Final Thought

These are just some observations I’ve made from both sides of the management fence. Hopefully Joe Cabot’s philosophies can benefit you in your management duties as well. All right now ramblers, let’s get rambling.

All images are taken from the movie Reservoir Dogs, and are the sole property of the motion picture’s copyright holders.