What associations do you have when you think of someone working at a position higher than an office manager?

What associations do you have?

Rich, arrogant, cynical, out of touch, old fart bag.

Erm I hate to dissapoint you but I'm a managing director and was previously a marketing director for an international car manufacturer. I am 31 years old, 5 feet 11, long blonde hair down to my arse, party animal and AM NOT arrogant, cynical, out of touch, old fart bag (perhaps rich but I've earned it so who cares)... I think you may have had a bad experience!

Originally posted by Clairy
Erm I hate to dissapoint you but I'm a managing director and was previously a marketing director for an international car manufacturer. I am 31 years old, 5 feet 11, long blonde hair down to my arse, party animal and AM NOT arrogant, cynical, out of touch, old fart bag (perhaps rich but I've earned it so who cares)... I think you may have had a bad experience!
Marry me ;)

Sorry, already married (and with small baby with an attitude problem!)
But thanks for the proposal

Originally posted by Clairy
Sorry, already married (and with small baby with an attitude problem!)
But thanks for the proposal
Just as well really... my wife wouldn't approve :P
Besides being a Managing Director myself... she'd take me to the cleaners too :lol:

So i presume you dont fall into the categoty of "arrogant, cynical, out of touch, old fart bag" either

Originally posted by Clairy
So i presume you dont fall into the categoty of "arrogant, cynical, out of touch, old fart bag" either
I can be a cynic at times I guess... I'm only 27 so no not an old fart bag, I wouldn't think I'm out of touch but then I'm not burberry clad neither ;) arrogance.... no comment :P

Originally posted by Clairy
So i presume you dont fall into the categoty of "arrogant, cynical, out of touch, old fart bag" either

He does Clairy, believe me he does. ;)

Just the word Manager makes me think :

Bitch Bitch Bitch Bitch Bitch Bitch Bitch Bitch Bitch

You know who you are!!!!!

Originally posted by owdlad
He does Clairy, believe me he does. ;)
Owdlad... bless you :P

Originally posted by Zorganikus
What associations do you have when you think of someone working at a position higher than an office manager?

why would you stereotype someone based on their job?

A good manager should be able to motivate their staff whilst at the same time ensuring they work hard and produce high quality work. There are many different styles of management but my own values are:

-I will never take credit for your work.
-I will never expect you to work ridiculous hours.
-I don't care how you do a piece of work - I just want to see high quality results. Therefore I won't micro manage you.
-If I think my input will be valuable I will give it at the beginning so you don't have to go back and change your work afterwards.
-I will never take on extra work without checking that you can handle it.
-Open door policy.
-I don't like wafflers. If you don't know what you're talking about tell me - don't waffle to me about nothing!

they have to be driven and have their eyes on a goal no matter how many people they have to climb over to do it. have to be industrious and motivated and prepared to do more work than they can cope with.

there is no room for sentiment or friendship to overshadow their role

Originally posted by Clairy
Erm I hate to dissapoint you but I'm a managing director and was previously a marketing director for an international car manufacturer. I am 31 years old, 5 feet 11, long blonde hair down to my arse, party animal and AM NOT arrogant, cynical, out of touch, old fart bag (perhaps rich but I've earned it so who cares)... I think you may have had a bad experience!

....and not big headed at all!

I'm a PA in a very large company, and I have different relationships with different managers (some of them very senior). Some are kind, open and chatty to all the staff (regardless of their 'level') whereas some are a bit aloof and cold. You just learn to accept they are all different and you deal with them accordingly.

They are all excellent at what they do though. They got where they are today through their own hard work and dedication and you have to respect them for that.

For someone in a position higher up in management I think it's essential to see the bigger picture and be able to sort out where lines of communication are not working.

If you are trying to deliver something (product, service whatever) and it isn't happening then work backwards and see where the sticking points are. Then implement training, beef up information systems, replace people with the wrong skills/attitudes and so on.

I am not that ambitious or driven but I have watched someone grow a multi million pound company over the last 15 years and these are things that they have homed in on when thngs weren't going right.