If Managers were GOT Leaders, who would you be?

King Robert Baratheon

Before you were a Manager, you were one of the hardest workers. You were popular, yet respected, with a loyal following who were happy when you got promoted! Since becoming a Manager, you seem to prefer others doing the hard-work for you as you feel that you have effectively ‘paid your dues’...

Signs that you are King Robert:

• The achievements you are most proud of are long in the past…
• When you are in team meetings, you often do not know how to advise your team as you have lost touch.
• You view the role of Management as part-time retirement.
• You often receive pandering compliments before rejection. E.g.: “That is great advice as always, thank you. However, I think we should consider doing this instead…”
• Your team often fear you, and tell you what you want to hear
• You are known to take an extra long lunch, or a half day to go golfing, etc. And this topic is often be the butt of a joke.

You are a good person with strong values, but ultimately, you know deep down that you have lost your touch. You haven’t added value to your team for quite some time. When people do as you say, it is because of your title, not your insight. You need to surround yourself with honest, reliable people who will tell you like it is, and you need to spend some time learning how the business has changed since you were an individual-contributor.

“I was never so alive as when I was winning this throne, or so dead as now that I've won it.”

King Joffrey

You love being a Manager! You have become a Manager relatively quickly with questionable experience. You know that some people resent your success, and you love nothing more than to assert your authority on them. You can’t help it if they are jealous of your natural leadership skills… right?

Signs that you are King Joffrey:

• No one ever asks for your advice. Nor do they thank you when you give it.
• You love sending emails with a lot of BOLD, underlined and red text.
• Your opinion being challenged, particularly by a member of your team, is your biggest pet peeve!
• You feel that you are done learning; you know everything you need to know.
• 'King of the FWD button'... When you get a tough email from your superior, you forward it immediately to your team and expect a solution.
• You have no hesitance when it comes to disciplining employees; if they are late into work, if they speak out of turn, if they miss a deadline, DISCIPLINARY ACTION!
• Your team often socialise without you. When you do join them, they are quiet and find an excuse to leave.

You may call yourself a Manager, but you certainly should not call yourself a Leader. You know deep down that even your most junior employees work harder, have more knowledge, and get more respect than you. You have a title, and that has brought you some superficial sense of importance. However, you need to learn to listen, and find ways to develop your leadership skills before your career dies a horrific (and welcomed!) death.

“You can't talk to me like that! The king can do as he likes!”

Daenerys Targaryen

You have worked very hard to get where you are and learned some tough lessons along the way. You believe in yourself, and you inspire others. However, you have always been doubted, and you have always had to prove yourself… which you secretly love! You dream big and are seen as an essential leader within your company, with a lot of responsibility, a lot more to learn, big targets and a lot of pressure!

?Signs that you are the Mother of Dragons:

• Despite you now being a Manager, you are still first in, last out, and arguably the hardest worker on the floor.
• You welcome being challenged & questioned, once it is done in a respectful way. You listen to others and consider their opinion before making a decision.
• You are confident and proud of your achievements and don’t let others to take them away from you.
• You have big ambitions that can scare people... and you don't consider failure as an option.
• You have proved yourself to be a gracious winner... no one is sure if you would be a gracious loser.
• You have no time for disrespect or bullies.
• You are extremely unforgiving when it comes to disloyalty and dishonesty.

You are a credit to your organisation and your team. Don't let your huge ambitions distract you from your responsibility as a leader. A lot of people rely on you; your team members have probably stayed in late just to get time with you; they may have turned down other job offers as they respect you. Therefore, make sure that you continue to listen & learn, so as to avoid repeating the mistakes of your predecessors!

"You're both here to advise me. I value your advice, but if you ever question me in front of strangers again, you'll be advising someone else. Is that understood?"

Lord Eddard Stark

You are an experienced Manager who understands that there is a nasty side of business. You have a strong moral compass and put your employees before anything else. You are widely respected by your team, however you also have daily battles with your superiors who you feel don't have employees' best interests at heart...

Signs you are Ned Stark:

• You are a good judge of character and have often spotted frauds in your organisation before anyone else.
• You take your role as Manager very seriously; your team are very loyal to you and you do not want to let them down.
• You are traditional in your thoughts of hierarchy, however you will not act upon anyone's advice unless you believe in it.
• You can be stubborn when you know you are right, and have stormed out of meetings on occasion.
• You hate fan-fare and self-celebration. You are a believer that your work should speak for itself.
• You have a reputation of being quite serious, and would rarely be seen socialising with your work colleagues.

You are a true grafter, who often lies awake at night thinking about your responsibilities. You are highly respected in your company, however your strong morals have often gotten you in trouble. Just remember that those internal battles can have an adverse affect on your team. There is a difference in fighting out of pride, and fighting for the greater good.

"You grew up with actors. You learned their craft and you learnt it well. But I grew up with soldiers."