my staff refuse to obey my order and i need them to respect me and ensure that they do what i tell them to.?

Q:

A: Respect has to be earned while obedience can sometimes be mandated. I think I would step back a second and try to get to the bottom of the issues. First, how long have you been "the boss" (a long or short time?) If you have been the manager for awhile and insubordination has been building, you need to figure out why. Secondly, what are you asking them to do? Are they things reasonably within your pervue as manager? (Example: please call this customer vs. please pick up my drycleaning). I have found that the best way to get people to do what you would like them to do is to try and match their needs or desires with yours and/or the company's. If you can show someone "what's in it for them" (and not just not getting fired) then you have a better shot. As to people (group) dynamics I believe the biggest trick is to build a base of influence and support. Out of any group some will support you almost without question, some will almost always fight you and others will be in the middle. Forget the detractors in the beginning and focus on the easy folks. Get them on your side and then work on the middle folks (they may value some of the easy ones and follow them). Once you have a mathmatic majority supporting you (or at least complying with your requests) the odds are better that the others will do so as well, or will move on to another job. You'll not only find this better from a sanity standpoint, but your boss (and/or HR) will be much more supportive if your detractors are few and supporters are many. Invert this equation and the higher ups are liable to figure they have the wrong manager in place and look to move you over or out. Good luck.

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