Bob Bumblehoof: Making People Feel Small
Bob Bumblehoof is hero leadership congealed into one person. He feels powerful letting others know they’re not good enough. He refuses to see that success depends on others.
Bumblehoof inspires headaches. He has a gold medal in making people feel small.
Making People Feel Small the Bumblehoof Way
- Rush to save the day even when you’re the problem.
- Deliver feedback on cocktail napkins. In crayon.
- Demand innovation. Punish deviation. Require perfection. Criticize improvement.
- Hoard the best opportunities for yourself.
- Say “Great job!”—but only to the stapler. Celebrate milestones by giving the team expired coupons to Burger King.
- Use authority to look down on people. Introduce new ideas with: “This is probably beyond you…”
- Compare, belittle, and remind people they’re replaceable.
Bumblehoof Bonus: End meetings by predicting failure.
Any fool can point out flaws. Remarkable leaders see what “is” and focus on what “could be.”
True power isn’t crushing others; it’s lifting them.
What does making people feel small look like from your viewpoint?
What’s one way to energize greatness in others?
Final Note: Obviously, no one can MAKE you feel small, but Bumblehoof does his best.
Leaders Are Responsible For Developing Others | CMOE
Excellent advice 😛
😉
“Any fool can point out flaws. Remarkable leaders see what “is” and focus on what “could be.” Well Said. The ability to see beyond the surface and to coach an employee up – those are skills that will engage a career.
It’s a pleasure to be of service. Here’s to helping people rise.
Mr. Bumblehoof,
It’s performance review season here and most of our employees are remote. I was thinking about printing their reviews, marking them up in crayon, and then faxing it to them. Thoughts?
As a bonus, I could then ding their reviews more for not have a fax machine. Good idea?
Sincerely,
Monty Misguided
Dear Monty —
I suggest using a red ballpoint pen instead of crayon, so that your feedback is clear enough for them to read. (Crayon may smudge from the heat of the fax machine, and you don’t want them to have any excuse not to have taken their obviously much needed corrective action.) Be sure to fax in color, not black and white, so your explanation for their sub-standard performance stands out.
Though I am surprised you didn’t identify these concerns on your own. I have made a note in your file.
I wish you luck in your endeavors,
Bob Bumblehoof
🤣
Love the colored fax machine suggestion!
Absolutely brilliant! Monty. I wish you worked for me.
Monty knows. Monty’s a big deal. Again, it’s performance review season this is why Monty must speak about himself in 3rd person.
You’re welcome,
Monty
Self-importance is clearly a gift. Monty is just now appreciating his magnificence.