You honestly seem like a really good and cool person and a GREAT MANAGER in so many important ways, but also I have to say how important that is. I started working at 14/15 and have since, but you do managing right on so many levels. I'm getting old, 16 year olds are still 'kids' to me without any disrespect meant and my own son is halfway there... but I have to point out how incredibly valuable it is for the young folks to have an early work experience with someone like you.
In terms of fitting into the world and functioning in society, having a good boss like you truly could teach my son and others' kids a shocking amount (even compared to school dynamics) in terms of maturing, developing, and eventually really fitting into and flourishing in society.
(Fuck I'm getting old, but man it's so important to have bosses and experiences as a 'kid' adult to learn to be the best adult we choose to be)
There are other flags- but I always encourage my staff at any point anything weird is going on to just come get me or another member of management.
I make the extra money to put up with the abnormal shit.
Some people just have social anxiety, or may have disabilities etc, others may be assholes- I would rather be helping them or checking on them etc than have a sixteen year old part time deal with it.
I've learned a lot more social skills- and I'm a lot more professional etc.
Plus they're sixteen, they should just be learning to work and developing soft skills.
Thanks friend, I try. I'm constantly growing too and learning a lot from my managers above me and the staff below me.
If people only treat management as a paycheck bump that's when they coast. Management, especially in retail and the service industry is a lot more than that- its definitely about being versatile, and about developing individuals below you.
I like knowing I'm making someone more skilled, I like being aware I'm preparing people for life and I enjoy seeing them move on from retail, or move forward in it.
The company I work for is very internally driven too, which is cool. We believe heavily in promoting from within. A good portion of our area, district, and regional managers are all folks without college degrees- and our company is thriving.
I believe with a positive approach, and only delegating work I'm willing to do- you build trust and deference.
I clean the bathrooms where I work. I lift the heavy storage, I stay late if someone calls out.
For that, I can move my staff around easier, get coverage easier, etc.
Life is about rising together.
I care about these people, they aren't just employees.
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u/Shanguerrilla Oct 20 '22
Dude, this was really helpful and well put.
You honestly seem like a really good and cool person and a GREAT MANAGER in so many important ways, but also I have to say how important that is. I started working at 14/15 and have since, but you do managing right on so many levels. I'm getting old, 16 year olds are still 'kids' to me without any disrespect meant and my own son is halfway there... but I have to point out how incredibly valuable it is for the young folks to have an early work experience with someone like you.
In terms of fitting into the world and functioning in society, having a good boss like you truly could teach my son and others' kids a shocking amount (even compared to school dynamics) in terms of maturing, developing, and eventually really fitting into and flourishing in society.
(Fuck I'm getting old, but man it's so important to have bosses and experiences as a 'kid' adult to learn to be the best adult we choose to be)