What Do Managers Want To Be Free From At Work?

Managers responded to the question: "Which of the following would you like to eliminate from your worklife?" Thirty-seven percent replied a demanding boss and 31 percent said annoying coworkers.

New York (PRWEB) July 13, 2003 - During the Spring of 2003, managers were asked what they'd like to eliminate from their work lives. The survey, conducted by Kathleen O'Connor during her seminars throughout North America, included 5,482 managers and revealed that most (37 percent) felt that a demanding boss was their biggest problem with 31 percent choosing annoying coworkers.

Seminar attendees answered this question: "Which of the following would you like to eliminate from your worklife?" The results were:

Demanding boss (37%)
Annoying coworkers (31%)
Boring work (26%)
Undesirable workspace (6%)

According to Kathleen O'Connor, owner of New York-based O'Connor Success System which provides professional development opportunities for managers, "The survey confirms that most work problems are people problems -- problems with management and problems with coworkers. There are two root causes that tie in with this data. First, with a weak economy, layoffs and cutbacks, those who remain are trying to do more with less. This almost always creates a tough environment. Second, despite all the benefits of efficient electronic communications, interpersonal skills at a company usually determine a business's success or failure."

O'Connor also said, "The silver lining to these results is that people skills can begin to improve as soon as the first step is taken. A carefully crafted message from company leaders can encourage employees to see the benefits of improved working relationships -- benefits of a more pleasant environment, more productivity and greater job satisfaction. However, the message must include a vision for how that change will take place, which might involve interpersonal training programs. Motivational messages must have follow up."

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Kathleen O'Connor is the owner of the O'Connor Success System which provides professional development opportunities for managers. She has trained thousands of managers over 15 years with her seminars and teleclasses, and hundreds with her one-on-one coaching. Ms. O'Connor has an MBA and has worked for Deloitte Consulting as well as being an entrepreneur. More information about her and the O'Connor Success System is available at www.OconnorSuccessSystem.com