Archived Bad Leadership

[2Spooky4U]

Before anything starts: be cool, guys.

So the leader for my team is very questionable to say the least. They're fairly young, was previously our signing specialist before being thrown in as flow TL. Clearly they're not happy with the position, because this person went from being fairly laid back and approachable albeit very sarcastic, to incredibly short-tempered and petty. They're often yelling, being overtly passive-aggressive in front of the entire team, will only speak to team members that they are friends with, and generally conduct themselves in an unprofessional manner.

There have been many occasions that I would've gone to HR about the issue, but leadership for the most part are friends with each other so you can guess what would happen. Morale is decreasing but seeing that we're meeting our goals mostly, nothing is most likely going to happen.

How do you guys deal with situations like this? Do you have any personal experiences that are relevant to the matter? I'd be more than happy to hear your experiences, thoughts, or insight.

 

[jenna]

I may not be the best person to ask, but I tend to ignore the assholes that I work with. I tend to associate with like minded team members, and we [sometimes] talk about what an asshole the other guy is....

otherwise, I keep my head down, and do my job to the best of my ability

 

[thechadness04]

There have been many occasions that I would've gone to HR about the issue, but leadership for the most part are friends with each other so you can guess what would happen.

We have a similar situation happening at my store. I have almost an entire department that feels "bullied" by their TL, but they are too afraid to talk to HR because their TL is beloved by the STL and ETLs...it's getting to the point where people would rather just find a new job, but I feel bad for those who are working through school, plan on staying, etc. I'd like to hear other experiences also...

 

[Kompa]

Flow turns people into assholes. Mainly because everyone shits on them and blames them for everyone.

When I first started at target on flow I used to tuck in my shit

Now 5 years later as a brtm, fuck everyone, everything and even fuck me

 

[TTGOz]

One of my GSAs clearly hates his job as well, and every time I try to talk to him I just get blank stares and him just looking at me like "ok"
the only time he's actually ever properly acknowledged me was when he was a cashier just starting out or when I was doing something wrong I.E not putting unused bags back on the bag rack or not properly zoning my lane.

This GSA also likes to get after me a lot for checking up on my other cart attendants when I'm doing carts lol. He says I'm chit-chatting. I haven't been checking up on them anymore since they've been here for a month or so by now and seem to know what to do.

Today my GSTL claimed I took a 40 minute break, so there's that too. He walked by my lane at like 3:20 or 3:21 and asked if I was going on my break and I was like "yes" and I had a line of people and people kept piling into my lane and I felt obligated to help since it was really busy, I was done with helping everyone around 3:30ish and went to go grab a lunchable and ate it in the back room. Came back out at 3:44 and used the bathroom.

I came out and he was like "Oh, are you back?" and I'm like "yup! I'm gonna hop right back on my lane." and then he said "Ok but just so you know you can only take 15 minute breaks." and I'm like "oh yeah I'm sorry, I had to use the bathroom quick sorry." and he profusely said "no not that, you took an almost 40 minute break." and I tried to make him understand I had a line and I didn't get to go on my break as soon as he checked on me, oblivious to the 3-4 people with carts full of groceries in my line. His response was "oh no.. I clocked your time, I looked at the time." and proceeded to incessantly tap his watch. Yes, 3:20 to 3:46 is almost 30 minutes(not 40???) but I didn't get on my break until like 3:30 lol.

I have no idea why, but it just feels like all of my front end leaders have some sort of hidden vendetta against me lol. A lot more stuff has happened to me(and I feel specifically only to me.) than just all this but it just doesn't seem "report" worthy yet. Only like one other GSA(maybe two) and one GSTL seem to actually be friendly with me lol.

 

[signingminion]

Before anything starts: be cool, guys.

So the leader for my team is very questionable to say the least. They're fairly young, was previously our signing specialist before being thrown in as flow TL. Clearly they're not happy with the position, because this person went from being fairly laid back and approachable albeit very sarcastic, to incredibly short-tempered and petty. They're often yelling, being overtly passive-aggressive in front of the entire team, will only speak to team members that they are friends with, and generally conduct themselves in an unprofessional manner.

There have been many occasions that I would've gone to HR about the issue, but leadership for the most part are friends with each other so you can guess what would happen. Morale is decreasing but seeing that we're meeting our goals mostly, nothing is most likely going to happen.

How do you guys deal with situations like this? Do you have any personal experiences that are relevant to the matter? I'd be more than happy to hear your experiences, thoughts, or insight.

Are you in my store? My flow tl sounds identical. Mine swears though, so his time has come beyond me warning him to watch his mouth. He almost threw something when a pallet fell over next to a tm...couple light items hit them but he lost his shit. I'll be partnering with the stl who is all about looking professional...

 

[BackroomAlpha]

Yeah. A team lead (especially in logistics) that has a hot temper and takes the frustration out on the team is not going to last long and or the team will simply lose its moral and stamina quickly. Our flow team deals with the same thing. The TL is hot tempered and yells, calls them idiots begind their backs to other TMs, talks nonstop trash about the ETLs to TMs, talks trash about the company even. Before this person became promoted, our flow team went from being the best team in the store (getting 2000 pc trucks done in 4 hours) to losing focus and taking 7-8 hours to get a single average truck completed. It has ruined payroll for the rest of logistics. Spot will not remove this person from leadership. Its a problem.

 

[graffiti]

My store is in the same place with our flow TL. But as they are extremely ineffective as a leader (literally has to run every decision on every truck past the ETL LOG, even if it means texting him at midnight), my store's process is really dependent on the quality of the ETL, who right now is Not Good either.

In general I feel the whole LOG process just has a tendency to drive people nutty (especially ETLs in my experience!), but my previous store had the most amazing flow TL who was very motivating, approachable, and protective of his team, so I really think it just takes a certain personality to be successful in that high-stress role.

 

[tgtguy]

IMO- A leader can be firm without being an ass. They can EARN the respect of their team and be an effective leader at the same time. IF a leader has to resort to being an ass, belittling people etc...then they shouldn't be in a leadership role ( and yes this applies to our new president as well). When a team leads treats people like crap...its only speaks volumes to their lack of leadership skills. If you don't feel comfortable going to the etl, or hr etl, stl etc....then make a fast call to the hotline. If enough people do it ...they will address it .

 

[HRZone]

.then make a fast call to the hotline. If enough people do it ...they will address it .

This is the myth of the hotline. Fwiw When you call the hotline they have the stl and etl hr investigate. Then follow up with them after.

Some people think its this anonymous savior but its really not

 

[Yetive]

^correct.

 

[tgtguy]

This is the myth of the hotline. Fwiw When you call the hotline they have the stl and etl hr investigate. Then follow up with them after.

Some people think its this anonymous savior but its really not

I don't think its anonymous savior. However, I have seen it work the purpose that it was intended. Not saying it doesn't have its downfalls.

 

[HRZone]

I don't think its anonymous savior. However, I have seen it work the purpose that it was intended. Not saying it doesn't have its downfalls.

I liked your post, I wasnt implying you are naieve but you did say if they arent comfortable going to ETL/HR/STL to call the hotline.

Too many people think going to the hotline sidesteps their store leadership allowing corporate to come down and right everything wrong. It simply doesnt work that way.

A call to the hotline is directed back to the STL and ETL HR so you should always take your problem to them first bc if you call the hotline, guess who is going to follow up with you?

 

[tgtguy]

I liked your post, I wasnt implying you are naieve but you did say if they arent comfortable going to ETL/HR/STL to call the hotline.

Too many people think going to the hotline sidesteps their store leadership allowing corporate to come down and right everything wrong. It simply doesnt work that way.

A call to the hotline is directed back to the STL and ETL HR so you should always take your problem to them first bc if you call the hotline, guess who is going to follow up with you?

I see what you are saying now. I can only speak for myself but the handfull of times I have called the hotline...going to the stl etc wasn't an option. I do agree with you that if you can go to your stl or hr then you should before going to the hotline .

 

[Hardlinesmaster]

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