Controlling - Why The Negative

The controlling function has to be used with the right emphasis and intention. Managers are the authority at work and employees understand and respect that when the manager is working in the best interest of the organization. Sometimes the use of the controlling function is seen as managers throwing their authority around and being over zealous with their power. Managers who don't use their authority with good intentions give the controlling function a black eye because they use it for personal benefit and don't take into consideration the impact on others.

I think the negative connotation is perceived when the actions are not tempered with explanations or understanding for why the changes have to be made. Most employees will work with and adjust to changes if they know why they changes need to be made and what it means for them directly. This comes back to the idea of open discussion and communication through all levels of the organization. Implementing a system to keep employees in the loop and understanding the goals of an organization will make the controlling function easier to swallow with everyone being on board from the start. In today's economy the controlling function brings about fear of loss of jobs and uncertainty of job security.