Archived Uppity ETL's? Does this happen at your store?

[greeneyez]

So I noticed after working there less than a year that all of the ETL's and even the ETL HR are very patronizing to TM's including me and respond with a smirk on their face sometimes or a scowl if they are in a bad mood. They don't really talk to the TM's except to bark out orders or favors and they congregate in groups out of their offices in the breakroom or where HR does their work and gossip and talk amongst themselves as they bark out orders on walkies. When a TM comes to them with real problems about work or elsewhere they turn the other cheek and tell them if they don't do the work to leave or go to their ETL who doesn't do anything either. All of them have bachelor's degrees from low end universities but try to act better than others (maybe better paid). I have a bachelor's myself but working at Target as a side job and mine is from a very good school in the area so I don't understand why they have to talk down and treat the other with disrespect. I don't see this behavior with the STL or team leads though so I wonder if it's something taught in ETL training class?

 

[Flabbergasted]

ETLs at my store are actually pretty friendly.

 

[Wizard89]

Your ETL's sound like they have known each other for a long time and become comfortable with this situation. Your STL must not really care that much. I can assure you that if a new STL came in and wanted to shake things up, this would be the first thing to go. I know I am guilty of doing this at least once or twice a week. You see another ETL in TSE and you start with work related matters and then it just snowballs, then another jumps in etc... About 45 minutes later you realize that you are talking about Bob and how he has a thing for shark porn and get back to work.

I know you said they were "uppity" but maybe jumping in once and awhile for a quick min chat or a witty comment wouldn't hurt. Some TL's and TM's jump in when we have our "get together" and contribute. I find that some of the best stories come out from that ELEC TM who usually keeps to himself. It helps you from not going insane from the constant "WHO IS RESPONDING" ( I AM @#$*! HOLY @#$*ING SHIT I AM COMING)

 

[indigo25]

My ETL's are all really nice. I prefer working with certain ETL's for different reasons, but I genuinely think they're all nice. They'll actually work on the floor with us at times which is nice (although I think this is partially because we need people on the floor and partially because we're a team or whatever).

 

[greeneyez]

Your ETL's sound like they have known each other for a long time and become comfortable with this situation. Your STL must not really care that much. I can assure you that if a new STL came in and wanted to shake things up, this would be the first thing to go. I know I am guilty of doing this at least once or twice a week. You see another ETL in TSE and you start with work related matters and then it just snowballs, then another jumps in etc... About 45 minutes later you realize that you are talking about Bob and how he has a thing for shark porn and get back to work.

I know you said they were "uppity" but maybe jumping in once and awhile for a quick min chat or a witty comment wouldn't hurt. Some TL's and TM's jump in when we have our "get together" and contribute. I find that some of the best stories come out from that ELEC TM who usually keeps to himself. It helps you from not going insane from the constant "WHO IS RESPONDING" ( I AM @#$*! HOLY @#$*ING SHIT I AM COMING)

Well if a ETL is not approachable because of how they treat their TM's it doesn't give confidence to just start up a conversation and try to be funny or witty with them. I noticed that the rudest ETL"s lose TM's at a rapid pace. Seeing a TM quit after less than a month because of ETL issues has become the norm but it's ridiculous to me that they don't think anything is wrong with that because obviously it has to do with the ETL and how they're running their department.

 

[Noiinteam]

Right now all my ETL's are friendly and hard working. All but 1 is new to my store. I don't believe working at target as an ETL makes you an asshole. If you have unapproachable ETL's who think they are better than a TM, that goes to their character. I think they would be an ahole no matter where they worked.

 

[thetargetman]

At my store all the ETLs (except for our Mega-bitch of an ETL-GE/Softlines) are pretty friendly.

 

[Mhugh220]

It's the people not the position. Some people are just A-holes and it looks like @greeneyez works with a whole bunch of them. ETLs aren't taught to be rude, they're actually taught to be very open, honest, and friendly with their team. We had some great ETLs and we had some that everyone hated, including the ETLs. Great ETLs are hard working, honest, and care about their TMs. I knew a lot about my TMs because I always had non-work related conversations with them as we pushed freight. The more I knew about them the better I could develop them into the position they wanted. Plus the job sucked so why not try to make the best of it for everyone.

 

[Backroom81]

I've seen my fair share of snobby ETLs. I thoroughly enjoy taking them down a peg via passive agressive casual conversation if they mouth off too much:

"So what did you major in? Oh, elementary school teacher, that's great. XXX school district is one of the fastest growing in the state and just opened 3 new elementary schools. Oh it's hard finding a job right now? I understand that. Did you hear Softlines TM just got her Bachelor's in education in May and got a job over there already."

 

[Barcode]

ETLs are there to make sure the job gets done, not to be our friend(s).

 

[Backroom81]

ETLs are there to make sure the job gets done, not to be our friend(s).

They don't have to be our friends. I even prefer that they aren't because maintaining some boundaries is critical to completing tasks. They can even be pricks if the situation calls for it. Being snobby, patronizing, or disrespectful of your TMs only serves to feed egos and does nothing to get the job done and none of those are traits that make good leaders.

"Regard your soldiers as your children, and they will follow you into the deepest valleys; look upon them as your own beloved sons, and they will stand by you even unto death. If, however, you are indulgent, but unable to make your authority felt; kind-hearted, but unable to enforce your commands; and incapable, moreover, of quelling disorder: then your soldiers must be likened to spoilt children; they are useless for any practical purpose."

 

[thetargetman]

ETLs are there to make sure the job gets done, not to be our friend(s).

They don't have to be our friends. I even prefer that they aren't because maintaining some boundaries is critical to completing tasks. They can even be pricks if the situation calls for it. Being snobby, patronizing, or disrespectful of your TMs only serves to feed egos and does nothing to get the job done and none of those are traits that make good leaders.

"Regard your soldiers as your children, and they will follow you into the deepest valleys; look upon them as your own beloved sons, and they will stand by you even unto death. If, however, you are indulgent, but unable to make your authority felt; kind-hearted, but unable to enforce your commands; and incapable, moreover, of quelling disorder: then your soldiers must be likened to spoilt children; they are useless for any practical purpose."

I agree with you. I do not mind a tough ETL who is task focused and keeps professional boundaries up. They do not have to be rude, mean, patronizing, and disrespectful to get that done. I do not even mind being coached if I do something that can not happen. All I want is respect.

 

[tellmeaboutatime]

Our ETL Salesfloor is the most condescending piece of shit I have worked with in 20 years at Spot. She talks down to almost EVERYONE. She does have her select few people she is friends with on FaceBook. They suck up to her so much it makes my skin crawl. Her people skills are non existent. I have watched and heard her berate team members daily. She would not dare lower herself to ask someone a question. If she doesn't know the answer she will make up an answer that is total B.S. I cannot honestly say there is one thing I respect about her. In my Target tenure, I have worked with over 40 different ETLS and STLS, she is far and away the worst. I would walk away if she ever became my ETL. I would rather work at McDonalds than pretend to respect her.

 

[Barcode]

ETLs are there to make sure the job gets done, not to be our friend(s).

They don't have to be our friends. I even prefer that they aren't because maintaining some boundaries is critical to completing tasks. They can even be pricks if the situation calls for it. Being snobby, patronizing, or disrespectful of your TMs only serves to feed egos and does nothing to get the job done and none of those are traits that make good leaders.

"Regard your soldiers as your children, and they will follow you into the deepest valleys; look upon them as your own beloved sons, and they will stand by you even unto death. If, however, you are indulgent, but unable to make your authority felt; kind-hearted, but unable to enforce your commands; and incapable, moreover, of quelling disorder: then your soldiers must be likened to spoilt children; they are useless for any practical purpose."

I agree with you. I do not mind a tough ETL who is task focused and keeps professional boundaries up. They do not have to be rude, mean, patronizing, and disrespectful to get that done. I do not even mind being coached if I do something that can not happen. All I want is respect.

Some Target TMs are pieces of work, and even as a GSA I had a hard time taking them seriously... I'm sure there are ETLs out there who are bad apples, but I think in some cases they may just be getting fed up with a TM.

 

[commiecorvus]

ETLs are there to make sure the job gets done, not to be our friend(s).

They don't have to be our friends. I even prefer that they aren't because maintaining some boundaries is critical to completing tasks. They can even be pricks if the situation calls for it. Being snobby, patronizing, or disrespectful of your TMs only serves to feed egos and does nothing to get the job done and none of those are traits that make good leaders.

"Regard your soldiers as your children, and they will follow you into the deepest valleys; look upon them as your own beloved sons, and they will stand by you even unto death. If, however, you are indulgent, but unable to make your authority felt; kind-hearted, but unable to enforce your commands; and incapable, moreover, of quelling disorder: then your soldiers must be likened to spoilt children; they are useless for any practical purpose."

Sadly Sun Tzu isn't part of ETL training.

I think if they did the company would be much more successful.

The one that applies most in this case is "Know yourself and you will win all battles."

 

[Leonhart621]

Everyone in our store are fakes

Or maybe I'm just an asshole.

 

[Signkitty]

ETLs are there to make sure the job gets done, not to be our friend(s).

"You catch more flies with honey then vinegar".

 

[Backroom81]

Sadly Sun Tzu isn't part of ETL training.

I think if they did the company would be much more successful.

The one that applies most in this case is "Know yourself and you will win all battles."

In full it's:
"If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle."

Sun Tzu's principles should be a part of any leadership training. They have many applications.

 

[mrknownothing]

Our ETL Salesfloor is the most condescending piece of shit I have worked with in 20 years at Spot. She talks down to almost EVERYONE. She does have her select few people she is friends with on FaceBook. They suck up to her so much it makes my skin crawl. Her people skills are non existent. I have watched and heard her berate team members daily. She would not dare lower herself to ask someone a question. If she doesn't know the answer she will make up an answer that is total B.S. I cannot honestly say there is one thing I respect about her. In my Target tenure, I have worked with over 40 different ETLS and STLS, she is far and away the worst. I would walk away if she ever became my ETL. I would rather work at McDonalds than pretend to respect her.

Reminds me of a TL who used to work at my store. I'm fairly certain that the only person who didn't hate her with a passion was the ETL she slept with. When it was announced that she was transferring, there was much rejoicing.

 

[Best TM NA]

Your ETL's sound like they have known each other for a long time and become comfortable with this situation. Your STL must not really care that much. I can assure you that if a new STL came in and wanted to shake things up, this would be the first thing to go. I know I am guilty of doing this at least once or twice a week. You see another ETL in TSE and you start with work related matters and then it just snowballs, then another jumps in etc... About 45 minutes later you realize that you are talking about Bob and how he has a thing for shark porn and get back to work.

I know you said they were "uppity" but maybe jumping in once and awhile for a quick min chat or a witty comment wouldn't hurt. Some TL's and TM's jump in when we have our "get together" and contribute. I find that some of the best stories come out from that ELEC TM who usually keeps to himself. It helps you from not going insane from the constant "WHO IS RESPONDING" ( I AM @#$*! HOLY @#$*ING SHIT I AM COMING)

Thats the issue at my store. All the lods have been there 10 to 15 years. Stls though maybe 4 years. The current stl is so worthless . Anything you go to her about get transformed in to bill lumberg style "yeahhhhhh ummmm yeahhhhh thats just the way it is". The stl and etl quality of life at my store is half and half. Half great half horrid. But it varies so much from store to store that it will never find a happy medium since management hiring is so filtred an biased. Its sad really.

 

[Bosch]

ETLs are there to make sure the job gets done, not to be our friend(s).

Including the ones that refuse to do LOD shifts or speak with guests?

 

[StackerMistress]

Our ETLs are.... well, I used to like all of them. LOG is fantastic. HR is new, very young, and has a head full of sparkles and sunshine and not much else. Salesfloor (since we had SL and HL combined this year) is... well, he's been in the same position for a million years. Are those our only ETLs? I think so.

Now, the TLs and SrTLs (ESPECIALLY the seniors)...... that's where the vast majority of uppity at our store comes from.

 

[Dying Sun]

Sadly Sun Tzu isn't part of ETL training.

I think if they did the company would be much more successful.

The one that applies most in this case is "Know yourself and you will win all battles."

In full it's:
"If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle."

Sun Tzu's principles should be a part of any leadership training. They have many applications.

speaking as someone whos shooting for a business management degree currently. I can say that every leadership class I have had has had at least one lecture devoted to Sun Zhu's teachings. He is the one who I am basing my leadership portfolio and profile around. Its funny how even now thousands of years later teachings like his are still relevant in this day and age

 

[melvin]

ETLs are there to make sure the job gets done, not to be our friend(s).

 

[thetargetman]

Our ETLs are.... well, I used to like all of them. LOG is fantastic. HR is new, very young, and has a head full of sparkles and sunshine and not much else. Salesfloor (since we had SL and HL combined this year) is... well, he's been in the same position for a million years. Are those our only ETLs? I think so.

Now, the TLs and SrTLs (ESPECIALLY the seniors)...... that's where the vast majority of uppity at our store comes from.[

I guess just some of the ETLs can not handle the stress of running two areas sometimes but hey it could just be who they are. very mean people who love having power and telling people what to do. now not all of them are bad but it just seems like at times a lot of them are.