Charles Montgomery Burns – Entrepreneur, business man and the main antagonist who features in The Simpsons. He’s the richest and most powerful man in Springfield and is the owner of the Springfield Power Plant (where Homer works!). Mr Burns is famous for his debatable managerial techniques – one of his most famous phrases is ‘release the hounds!’ and he rarely remembers his employees names. So what lessons can we learn from Monty Burns when it comes to being a manager? I’ve compiled 7 points on how NOT to be a manager – inspired by Monty Burns himself:
1) Money:
‘What good is money if it can’t inspire terror in your fellow man?’
Monty Burns taught us that money is all that matters – but it shouldn’t be. If your main goal is to get rich quick, forget it because your heart and mind won’t be in it, so will inevitably lead to failure.
2) Employees:
“Look at them Smithers – goldbrickers…layabout…slug-a-beds! Little do they realise their days of suckling at my teat are numbered.”
Monty Burns believed that all his employees were ‘layabout slug-a-beds’. But where would he be without them? Appreciate your employees.
3) Business:
“Family. Religion. Friendship. These are the three demons you must slay if you wish to succeed in business.”
Terrible advice.
4) Fun:
“Fun? Is that how it’s pronounced? I’ve only seen it written.”
Fun and laughter are the key to building a happy and productive workforce.
5) Work-life balance:
“A lifetime of working with nuclear power has left me with a healthy green glow… and left me as impotent as a Nevada boxing commissioner.”
Don’t allow work to take over your life. Find your ideal work-life balance.
6) Workforce:
“Sir the people kind of see you as an ogre…” “I ought to club them and eat their bones!”
As a good manager, people should not be afraid of you. If they are, you need to change your approach.
7) Employee relations:
“Smithers, who is that man?”
Get to know your employees and workforce. Remember you can learn from everyone – don’t waste this opportunities!
Image: Shutterstock
