Better bosses attract better employees on clarkhoward.com

A new survey from the American Management Association reveals workers are more productive and happier if they're treated with kindness and respect by a boss. Duh, no big surprise there!

This flies in the face of the school of thought that says you should manage by fear and intimidation. We've all worked for someone like that, haven't we?

When he owned a travel agency, Clark did everything he could to make his employees happy. Every year, he took 25% of his profits and spread them out as bonuses among the workers. As a result, his turnover was near zero. Employees knew they were part of the team.

He also gave employees free postage because human nature is what is and employees usually steal postage. In addition, he offered unlimited free soft drinks and other beverages. Clark knew a thirsty employee would be gone 20 minutes in search of a beverage.

No one system is right for every employer. But if you do special things for your employees, they'll do special things for your customers in return. As an example, Clark's employees might deliver an airline ticket to a customer on the way home because they wanted to see the business do well. Clark calls it "enlightened self interest." Romance your employees and they'll romance your customers.

What others are saying

Good Employers
I agree that a good employer will get more out of his employees then a bad business owner.

I worked for good employers for the past 5 years but due to the economy I was laid off but still retain a key and pass code to the old office - with permission.

My former employer tursted his employees and treated them like people. In response the employees were responsible, responsive to our clients, and would put in the extra time required to complete a project with no request from our employer to work extra hours - we just did it. The positive work environment created initiative and trust between the employer and employees.

Now I work for a company with an old style manager who doesn't trust his employees.

As one of the previous comments stated, I find it very interesting that a business owner, a human being, feels that they have the right to tell another human being when and where they can eat just because they are your manager or businees owner. In some cases I can see this concept if you work on a production line but I don't understand it when you are in a professional office.
By Ryan @ 02/24/09 06:57:19 PMreport abuse
bosses
11 years of work with same company.laid off for lack of work.the problem was the owner is a cocaine user. he drained the cash flow!
By p.s any @ 11/06/08 07:23:44 PMreport abuse
treating employees
When you treat your employees like adults and respect, employers would be amazed what that does to their bottom line when it comes to their profitability, results, company objectives, and low staff turnovers. Thank you.
By Scott Pollack @ 10/20/08 12:40:48 PMreport abuse
WhaT about Clark's current employees
What does Clark do for his current employee's, I was wondering???
By anonymous @ 10/18/08 08:48:54 PMreport abuse
AMEN!!
I couldn't agree more with Clark's thoughts. So, so many managers of businesses seem to have learned their management techniques from Nazi Germany. How about places obsessing about when and where you eat lunch or take a break? Or companies that like to surreptitiously (that's fancy for sneakily and without your knowledge;)) keep track of internet usage and track phone call durations and phone calls placed. How about old-fashioned paying attention to and interacting with your employees? How about treating them as valuable members of a team, not inmates in a jail (or asylum)? Anyway, sounds like Clark is a great employer, and I bet he will always be very successful because his employees come to want to please the customer and help the business, not spend their days furtively complaining about their bosses on the internet at work...(whistles nonchalantly as co-worker passes near)...
By Charlie @ 10/17/08 03:56:00 PMreport abuse

Good Employers

I agree that a good employer will get more out of his employees then a bad business owner.

I worked for good employers for the past 5 years but due to the economy I was laid off but still retain a key and pass code to the old office - with permission.

My former employer tursted his employees and treated them like people. In response the employees were responsible, responsive to our clients, and would put in the extra time required to complete a project with no request from our employer to work extra hours - we just did it. The positive work environment created initiative and trust between the employer and employees.

Now I work for a company with an old style manager who doesn't trust his employees.

As one of the previous comments stated, I find it very interesting that a business owner, a human being, feels that they have the right to tell another human being when and where they can eat just because they are your manager or businees owner. In some cases I can see this concept if you work on a production line but I don't understand it when you are in a professional office.

By Ryan @ 02/24/09 06:57:19 PMreport abuse

bosses

11 years of work with same company.laid off for lack of work.the problem was the owner is a cocaine user. he drained the cash flow!

By p.s any @ 11/06/08 07:23:44 PMreport abuse

treating employees

When you treat your employees like adults and respect, employers would be amazed what that does to their bottom line when it comes to their profitability, results, company objectives, and low staff turnovers. Thank you.

By Scott Pollack @ 10/20/08 12:40:48 PMreport abuse

WhaT about Clark's current employees

What does Clark do for his current employee's, I was wondering???

By anonymous @ 10/18/08 08:48:54 PMreport abuse

AMEN!!

I couldn't agree more with Clark's thoughts. So, so many managers of businesses seem to have learned their management techniques from Nazi Germany. How about places obsessing about when and where you eat lunch or take a break? Or companies that like to surreptitiously (that's fancy for sneakily and without your knowledge;)) keep track of internet usage and track phone call durations and phone calls placed. How about old-fashioned paying attention to and interacting with your employees? How about treating them as valuable members of a team, not inmates in a jail (or asylum)? Anyway, sounds like Clark is a great employer, and I bet he will always be very successful because his employees come to want to please the customer and help the business, not spend their days furtively complaining about their bosses on the internet at work...(whistles nonchalantly as co-worker passes near)...

By Charlie @ 10/17/08 03:56:00 PMreport abuse

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Oct 17, 2008 -- Better bosses attract better employees

What others are saying