Business Management ABCs

Testing Subordinates

You must determine quickly which of your new subordinates will be valuable to you and which will work towards their own goals. Set them to work immediately on various tasks that will help you but are not vital to your success. Make them earn their stripes. Perform constant spot checks on their progress to see who is working. Many will assume that once employed they have no need to work anymore and can now goof off. Disabuse them of this notion immediately and give them the worst of the work that needs doing. Inform them that if they finish this filthy work they will be given better jobs in the future.

Never trust the subordinates that want power for power’s sake. These will use the power you give them to attack you. Watch them closely and follow the old Mafia maxim of “keep your friends close but your enemies closer.” Slander them to your closest lieutenants and encourage them to spread these slanders; all the better if they are true. However, in this case, do not allow the truth to be a barrier to tearing down these enemies. If you genuinely have a clear vision for the future and you truly believe that your vision is the best then use all the weapons in your arsenal to achieve victory. Rumors can be more devastating than daggers.

Remember that rumors cut both ways. As former prime Minister Margaret Thatcher stated “I don’t mind how much my Ministers talk, so long as they do what I say.” Chances are those closest to you will be the most likely to wag their tongues. Let them as long as they obey you in the end. People in positions of authority talk to make themselves seem important to others. What better means of making yourself seem mighty then to slander the boss? Allow it within reason. Crushing the slanderer will only cause more rumors.

And if they should pass your initial tests start giving them more advanced and complex tasks which will serve to test the limits of their abilities. Some will always rise to the occasion and perform at the expected level. These will be your greatest resources and also your greatest threats. Ensure their loyalty for all time by tying their goals and aspirations to yours. Show them the commonality of your dreams and work to make them one. Prove to this “rising star” that you are the best chance to achieve their ultimate goals.

If you cannot prove your superiority then you must decide who will be the better leader. Do they refuse your leadership because of abstinence or are they truly better suited for the task? Make your decision and then act upon it in a course of action suitable for your ends. Beware of attacking this rising star directly as it might lead to your rapid decline from power. Far better to agree to a limited sharing of power than to lose it completely.

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