When things go wrong, the bosses blame the workers, and the workers blame the bosses. When things go right, the bosses take the credit and the workers do the clean up work.

Yes, many of you will say that the above is a cliched scenario that no longer happens today. Well, dream on.

All managers want to have good subordinates. A lot has been written about this topic. It is not only about the authority of the boss, but in many cases, it is about the ability to lead. Leadership is so very different from being bossy.

Some bosses think that good leadership means that they set a good example. If they set a good example, they are good leaders. I think that is a little too simplistic.

Recently, I overhead this discussion and I want to share it with you. Names, places and some details were changed to maintain anonymity.

One manager was joking about another colleague who got his iPhone and only knew how to use it to receive and make calls, nothing else. After a nice round of chuckles, one of the directors suddenly asked “Where did he get the iPhone?”

Apparently, the iPhone came as part of the package when the corporate mobile phone plan was renewed. Immediately, the director then said, “That iPhone belongs to the company, he should surrender it since the company is paying the phone bills.”

Interesting, isn’t it? What would you have done?

By the letter of the law, that last statement is not wrong. However, think about the message that you are sending to your people. Here are a few points to consider as a leader:

1. The guy is working FOR you. That phone is already being used in service of the company.
2. The guy did not break any rules or bent any to “get” the iPhone, it was simply a part of the Corporate Plan which the company was subscribing to.
3. Taking away the iPhone and keeping it in the cupboard would appear to be a spiteful, petty “management” action that does not seem to have any bearing on improving productivity or any thing positive.

Is this how you would inspire your subordinates? By demonstrating how legalistic and by-the-book you are?

Would you be surprised if the guy told you that he knocks off at 5pm and refused to lift a finger to answer the phone at 5.01pm? After all, you set the example.

If you want good subordinates, you must first be a good leader. That leadership extends to many aspects of your interaction with and your management of, the people.

This is probably worth a case study, but since this is just a blog, let us leave it at that. Your comments would be most welcomed!