"Why don't they listen to me? I explained it all to them ..." This is a complaint of many managers after introducing some new rules or procedures to their teams and expecting their staff to behave accordingly. Ignorance causes frustration, which is why it is important how managers deal with this situation. Using force or threats will not help. You have to stop spreading fear and start cooperating.
If your staff do not behave according to your wishes and instructions, they are not doing so groundlessly. There's a reason that you need to uncover. According to the FastCompany website, the following three reasons are the most common.
1. You only think about yourself
Your staff will soon notice you take more interest in your own career than in what is right for the company. You will thus lose their trust. They will begin to ignore you and do what they themselves think is right. Or they will start listening to you only out of fear. To avoid this, first ask yourself what you want to achieve. Do you really care about the results of the company or just about good relations with superiors and your own power?
2. You don't listen
If you want your staff to listen to you, you must also listen to them. Don't act from your position of power and don't hide behind HR professionals. Openly communicate and deliver honest feedback. Listening by itself is not enough. Directly ask people if they want to say something you might have missed. Listen to their opinions even if you disagree with them.
3. You only care about results
You are probably under pressure to achieve certain figures. However, if your staff don't listen to you, stop talking about numbers and focus on the behaviours that may help them achieve greater productivity, reduced stress and better relationships with customers. It is not only a matter of results but also of how to achieve them.
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