Music in the office

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified)
in
General Questions and Comments
I'm new to a Manager role and share an office with an employee that I line-manage. This employee only started the job a couple of months ago and my Manager noticed that the employee had the music on when I was on leave one day and in their view it was unprofessional and was concerned about exec visitors (it's a management office) but we decided to monitor it. Nothing happened for a couple of weeks and I was out of the office for a few days but popped in briefly and noticed the music was back on. I didn't say anything at the time (as I wasn't in the office very much) but when I returned the music was still on. This employee didn't ask if I was happy to have music on (baring in mind we share the office). I monitored the situation to see if the employee turned the music down when people entered the office or made phone calls but didn't and by the end of the week it had started to grate on me so much that I had to ask them not to have the music on as my manager has said it is unprofessional and was concerned that it wouldn't be a good impression on the boss. Following that we had a meeting with my manager and the employee seemed out of sorts and in a bit of a mood. They didn't mention the incident but weren't very engaged with the meeting. Do you think I did anything wrong here? How would you have handled it? Would you discuss it again with them or just let it pass? I was thinking of just letting it blow over now but would be grateful for any advice.
Submitted by Chris Crabtree on Saturday January 17th, 2015 1:28 pm

The answer to me looks like a pure application of The Feedback Model. :-)
I think if you had given him feedback initially, instead of deciding to "monitor it", some pain would've been avoided.
I would've just said something like this:
Me: Can I give you some feedback?
Him: Yes.
Me (smiling as I say this to indicate it's not a big deal): When you play music in the office, I think it makes us look unprofessional. Can you work without it going forward?
Him: (I would expect something like) Sure, no problem.
 
But of course you can't go back in time and do that. Today playing it where it lies, I would say:
 
Me: Can I give you some feedback?
Him: Yes.
Me: I've noticed you've stopped playing music while we're working. I really appreciate that. It does make us look more professional. Thanks!
 
Just reinforce that he's made a positive behavior change, and you'll get more of the behavior and hopefully less drama. Good luck with it!
 

Submitted by Rick Gosden on Saturday January 17th, 2015 2:14 pm

chris_crabtree is spot on
and I would like to add an additional observation. You told your direct that he should turn the music off because your boss said it looks unprofessional and that it would make a bad impression with said boss. By doing so you have undermined your own authority. In this case you have in effect indicated that you are okay with music, but your boss is not, making him the 'bad guy'. Sounds to me you are more concerned with offending your direct than you are in establishing that you have responsibility and authority to set and enforce rules in your deptarment.

Submitted by muse on Saturday January 17th, 2015 3:43 pm

thanks for your help Chris-Crabtree and rgolden. As I say I'm very new to all this so a little nervous about dealing with this person (and I think they know this) I think I need to have more confidence in myself but will definitely do the positive reinforcement that you've suggested. Many thanks.

Submitted by Lance Emerson on Monday January 19th, 2015 10:08 am

You seem nervous about dealing with this person. You need to find a way to crank up your confidence or you'll be eaten alive in a management role.
One item in your explanation that stood out for me was that the music started while you were gone. Then again you were out of the office and when you came back the music "was back on."
That's troubling on so many levels. The direct knows it's not appropriate, that's why he waits until your back is turned to turn on the music. It's not just a music issue, there are issues of trust and disrespect. The problem is  you were so reluctant to deal with the situation you second-guessed yourself and went as far as hoping the direct would turn the music down when people entered the office.
Dive into the podcasts on this site to gain the knowledge of how to deal with these situations quickly and effectively. In the feedback podcast, one analogy I found extremely valuable was looking at managing as if you're driving a car. You're constantly making very small adjustments as you steer the car down the road, every time you go over a bump, etc. If you don't make those tiny adjustments constantly, suddenly your car is going to veer off the road and you're left with trying to get it out of the ditch.
Your direct is being disrespectful to you, almost taunting. You mentioned you think the direct knows you're nervous about dealing with the issues, and they're taking full advantage of it. You're going to continue to have these problems with this direct until the direct is convinced you're going to be assertive and consistent.

Submitted by Suzanne Brown on Tuesday January 20th, 2015 10:22 am

I agree with rgosden.  You may have undermined yourself a bit by blaming it on your boss. (Listen to the cast "welcome to they - professional subordination") It's never a good idea to say "the boss says this is bad. I don't agree but we have to do what the boss wants".
Now that you are in the situation, really pay attention to the feedback model. It works. Really. And if it doesn't bother you (I know Mark is opposed but I'm not :-) ) maybe suggest some headphones. 
"Hey Bob - Remember when we talked about music a few weeks ago. I understand that some people work better with a bit of background noise. Why not try some headphones? Just remember to keep them off when others come into the office"