AboutEd Parr Expertise How to organize employees, how to stop infighting, how to handle problem employees, more. I have 25+ yrs. of experience managing within a variety of industries and labor environments. I have managed from 50 to 1,000 staff on projects with P&L responsibility ranging from $100K to $30MIL. I currently serve as the Managing Director of a Software Development Technology Ctr. for a
professional services consulting firm. I enjoy helping people, especially supervisors and managers, evolve in their careers.
Experience Over 15 years of senior management experience including: systems development, technical help desks, customer service, back-office operations, branch administration and regulatory compliance. Responsibilities have been as large as 1,000 professionals delivering projects with P&L as high as $30 million and assets totaling more than $10 billion. Customer interaction has ranged from client CEOs to customer service reps.
Greatest accomplishment: Helping employees become the best they can be.
Expert: Ed Parr Date: 4/25/2008 Subject: Dealing with untruthfull employees
Question I am a supervisor in a seasonal buisness that employs approx. 50 individuals.
I have always tried to have a good personal relationship with my workers.
The majority of these people have basic education and are involved in a low skilled occupation.
I have noticed that at least ten of these individuals frequently 'stretch the truth' to put it politely,when describing not only their work accomplishments but also their personal ones.
I was taught to tell the truth,and have always had a low tolerance for 'B.S'.
What motivates people to B.S.-for want of a better way to put it.
As I mentioned,the worst offenders are decent folk,but are from poor socio economic backgrounds and dont have a good quality of life.
I havent called anybody's bluff,not yet anyway as generally the work gets done.
My theory is they are trying to get more respect and puff themselves up a bit.
Any thoughts on this?
Answer Dear Carl:
Thank you for your question. Your experience managing blue collar workers is not unusual. Years ago, I worked in the pipeline construction industry. All of my peers and subordinates were "salt of the earth" blue collar workers, mostly males, but a few females here and there as well. By far, the males were more predisposed to exaggeration on all topics including their work output.
I think your hypothesis of people from lower socio-economic strata being predisposed to hyperbole to boost their self-esteem is right on the mark! This was my experience as well. There might be other reasons for this behavior, but I think overstating your deeds and capabilities is one way people, who feel "less than" give themselves parity with those they perceive are "above them" in social stature even when those other folks do not really make this distinction.
With regard to the downside of worker untruths, I think exaggeration is mostly harmless. However, if people stretch the truth or are dishonest in a way that harms co-workers or damages their organization, then it must be stopped in its tracks. There is no better way to accomplish this than formal peformance counseling. It's time consuming, but it will stop all unwanted behaviors over time.
Carl, I hope this anwser helps you put this challenge in perspective. Feel free to write me follow-up questions if you need to explore this topic further. The best of luck to you.
