Sorry about the tease yesterday.

Yes, there is hope for the Worker/Manager.

I think that there are some interesting parallels between the worker/manager and the player/coach. Yesterday I outlined some of them. Today I have advice. But it isn't just advice for the worker/manager. Here are some good ideas for every manager:

Take management seriously - Technologists must study at least two and sometimes more hours most days to keep up with the latest in their field. Managers should do the same to develop their management skills. Read as much Drucker as you can. That should fill up many study hours.

Care about your staff - There is no faster path to failure as a manager. Staff thinks manager is a selfish fool. Nothing gets done. Scott Adams gets e-mail. An oldie but goodie that my dad emphasized with me. "They won't care how much you know until they know how much you care."

Put management first - Start out your days as a manager. Think management first. Make management decisions. Get management activities under control, then move on to technical projects.

Don't be a know-it-all - It isn't your job to be able to do everything. You don't need to know everything that everyone working for you knows. A manager's job is to ask the questions. The staffs' job is to answer the questions. Respect the knowledge and abilities of those who work with you.

Admit your mistakes - Everyone makes mistakes. A good manager will make more mistakes than anyone else. Covering up mistakes is arrogant. An arrogant manager is failing, has failed and will fail again. Don't be stupid. Admit when you are wrong.

Give credit where it is due - The greatest outpourings of hate directed at managers usually bubbles up when a manager takes undue credit for success. The second greatest show of hatred comes to managers who shed blame to staff rather than step up and admit their mistakes. So, make sure that the credit is spread around to all those who deserve. Talk in "we" not "I" when describing your department. Very little is accomplished by a manager working alone.

Deligate - A manager working with staff can get so much more done than a manager working alone. Remember the principle of leverage and make sure that the people around you are working to their capacity. This idea refines the third point of putting management first.

I'm no great manager. That's why I think about this stuff. I'm just trying to get better. I need to do a better job of taking my own advice. At least I'm out there trying. You can't be a manager and not make mistakes. It goes with the territory. Just hang in there..........
9:25:54 PM    comment []