Nicknames in Thoughts on Management

I like nicknames. I come from a culture (Colombian) where nicknames are common place. I know my Grandmother by a nickname and address most of my cousins by nicknames. Nicknames though can be both good and bad and whilst they're acceptable for family and friends they're probably best kept out of the work place.

To clarify I'm not talking about accepted derivatives of known names, so calling a Michael Mike or a James Jim does not in my view count as a nickname and is acceptable if that person has said they don't mind being called that. I mean things that are usually rooted in some physical characteristic or personality of the person in question (Ginger, Blondey, Big Boy, Titch)

Every work place will have differing levels of formality. I have never worked anywhere where I've had to call my colleagues anything other than by their first name with only one exception (and even then the only exception there was the general manager, all other staff were addressed by first name). But one shouldn't confuse that with being given freedom to be overly familiar.

Today my line manager (who is a company director) referred to a member of our staff (who wasn't present at the time) by a nickname which also doubly worked as a pun on the person in questions surname. Now I've known my manager for six years now and I know she meant it affectionately. Additionally it was clear from the context that she was referring to that staff member affectionately. Nonetheless the nickname could have negative connotations. Depending on how you view it it could imply the person is sweet but equally it could imply they're a bit slow. (Isn't the English language great?)

Thing is we've had a big influx of new staff recently and unlike me they haven't known this company director or the member of staff in question for six years to know that this is good humoured. It sets a precedent that it's ok to talk about other staff members in a way which could, however unintentionally, undermine them. Perception is very important and this kind of culture could imply that the staff member is not valued or respected.

As managers we have to set the standard. We cannot expect staff to act professionally when we deviate as well. One rule for staff and another rule for managers is the worst possible scenario because it will always ultimately engender a culture of mistrust between people and it means if/when situations arise when you need to discipline staff you will find it all that more difficult because they can quite rightly point out they are only following by example. This will also inevitably lead to accusations of favouritism because you're enabling a culture where a lax level of professionalism is observed which can then mean when you do have to pull somebody up, it can seem like they're being singled out for no reason.