I’ve been on a management course
I was told that there are only 4 things you need to worry about if you want to be a good manager:
- Provide a clear direction. Ensure everybody knows where they are supposed to be going.
- Give people space. Stand back and let them go in the direction you have set.
- Get the resources they need. If your team need help, find the help they need.
- Provide encouragement. Celebrate their successes and help them learn from their failures.
If you read about it or think about it — and I have, a little — you come to the conclusion that these 4 simple points are 80% of the management problem nailed.
But I am still a lousy manager
If you ask my team they will agree, going on a course (no matter how simple and effective ) does not a manager make.
Why is it so hard?
Because I was brought up to take control of a situation. I was promoted because I had a flair for the technical stuff. I like it and people have told me I am good at it.
I’ve never been rewarded for letting go, delegation, giving people their head and all that other wishy-washy empowerment stuff. It is not within my nature.
But I make up for it in other ways…
How about you?
If you enjoyed this post click here for updates delivered straight to your inbox
Listen to the original opinion
Image by marsmettnn tallahaassee
Hello James,
Wonderful. I like the way that you speak the truth of the human condition. You, i, we are situated in certain contexts and practices, these end up shaping us. And classroom education is ignorant of this and as such is experienced-lived as not being relevant to me, to you, to us. Great to find that you have the level of insight into yourself that you show-share in this post.
Maz
Not at all Maz, I am perfect — honest.
Though it is fascinating what we don’t learn at school.
James
James,
Is the problem not with the generic definition that you encountered on the management course and not yourself? Have you not ‘managed’ to get things done? Therefore, are you not in danger of measuring yourself against a definition that doesn’t ‘fit’ with you?
Surely, all that matters is what gets produced and that the outcome is of greater value than it’s cost of production?
Don’t you think that we fall into the trap that there is ‘one way’ when it is obvious that there has to be more than one way?
Adrian
That is a very interesting point Adrian. I don’t suppose there is ever a “right way” (If there is I will shortly be out of a job). But I would hazard that some ways are better than others.
And is what gets produced the key measure of success? I’m sure there is a post in there somewhere.
JAmes