With various reorg’s, promotions and people transferring across organizations we might find ourselves working for a new manager.  There is often a sense of excitement and trepidation as everyone gathers for the first team meeting to find out who’s leading the way. 

I’ve heard quite a few managers say in these initial meetings that they want independent thinkers who will challenge them or ask lots of questions. That is great however; I have seen these same managers unwilling to change their minds and are not self critical. They are unwilling to make accommodations to previous decisions or to say, "Sure, I could accommodate that," or "that sounds like a better plan, thanks."

These managers get entrenched by their initial thoughts and decisions. And I think they believe that if they give in, it means that they were wrong about the situation and that being wrong is unacceptable. Managers who say they welcome questions and opinions but then fail to allow others to influence them are hypocrites and they are often the type of managers that make people want to leave.

 So is it better to be right and hated, or wrong and respected?  How have you been able to find balance?  What skills do you feel are necessary to be a respected leader without losing your team?