Published Article 2002How to Walk L.I.N.E of Effective Management Sheri A. Callahan, Horizon Consulting Group, LLC 803-606-3650 Keynote Addresses * Training * Performance Consulting www.onthehorizon.net
Management is no easy task. As managers, we dedicate ourselves to managing all of responsibilities that we are handed down. There are a host of reports, budgets, conference calls, policies, procedures, analysis, hiring, firing, documentation and list goes on and on and on. How is this humanly possible? Have managers been forced to accept that in today’s economy corporate America requires that we all work two jobs for price of one? I would venture to guess that it has been accepted as a “new challenge” for those managers that want to retain employment.
These circumstances then beg question, “Who is managing people?” Where do we find time and what can we do to be most effective managers? The answer must first be qualified by saying; we can’t simply hope that our staff can manage themselves or each other. After all, as managers our first priority must always be to manage our people. Yes, we do lead first. We do mentor, guide, direct and coach, but ultimately as managers it is our responsibility to manage people that in turn manage their tasks and priorities. In taking that role we also ultimately agree to play a number of other roles. I offer to you that there is a specific L.I.N.E. that managers can walk to get most out of their staff.
There are truly four job titles that we must take on to meet needs of any department. This applies to not only people we manage, but in our personal lives as well. Think back to most effective manager you have worked for in your career. Was he/she able to mentor staff, be inquisitive, listen to needs and concerns, and always seek fair and/or creative solutions? If answer is yes, then your boss understood value of walking L.I.N.E. How about you?