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Artisty,
I would generally agree with your last post except for the "Liked" bit. I would say that there those who are "Tolerated"; Those that are "Respected" and those that are both "Respected and Liked". - BUT you can't be "Liked" before you are "Respected" or you get your last definition. But you can be both. You just have to be human (and sensible!!)
Sneaky

SB

Yes see what you mean. I did serve with some officers I liked and respected. What I was trying to say was any officers who went out of their way to be liked by the lads normally fell flat on their faces. Because they were sussed out ASAP.

Once the respect was forthcoming from the lads and Indeed the Officers the major hurdle was crossed. And Yes I did and indeed still do have some Oppos who were Officers. Some SD some GS and one RN who still keeps in touch as we now do the same job. Me in the North West him down South. In fact we buy one Canal boat each year and do it up to sell at a profit during the Winter.

Artist

Got1, slightly off topic, but very interested to hear you served with David Purley, as a big F1 fan he is a hero of mine. For those that do not know Formula one driver David Purley was awarded the George Medal for his efforts to save fellow British driver Roger Williamson from his blazing upturned car in the Dutch Grand Prix in the early seventies. This was a shocking, disgraceful incident, with "marshalls" just standing by and taking no action, no proper medical facilities etc and was probably the real turning point in safety at circuits. Poor Roger Williamson died despite David Purleys brave efforts, and sadly he was killed in the eighties in a plane crash I think.

A very brave man.

I work for a company where I am a lot younger than the guys who I am in charge of.

Often I have to tell them to do things that they don't want to hear. I have to tell them that there work isn't up to scratch or that they need to make sure that they are on time etc. Many of these guys are sub-contracted workers and I really have no 'boss - employee' relationship.

The result is I am probably called a w@#k the minute I get in my car and drive off site!

What I have had to learn to do is to learn how to speak to people. This is probably where most managers or officers fail. If you go in head first swearing and shouting then you will get nowhere - even if they know that everything you say is true!

You have to treat them with respect and put yourself in their shoes. How would you like to be told that you have just majorly fecked up? Would you like to hear about it over and over again for the next hour? Would you like everyone around you to hear you get a bollocking?

No, you would like someone to quietly explain to you that what you have done is wrong and that you should be more careful in future. Often you know that you messed up and just someone asking you what you think you did wrong there is enough ie. you explain what you should have done and salvage some pride by at least showing that you have learnt from it.

I've met some bad managers in my life! I've also met some wasters who don't want to do things properly and need to get sacked rather than spoken too.

Being a good manager or officer doesn't mean that you have to be light on people. Some of the best teachers I remember at school were also the most strict. They just weren't arseholes about it![/b]