Be The "Best Manager Ever!!" In Just 3 Steps

I recently read an article on “Bad Managers” posted by the Harvard Business Review (http://blogs.hbr.org/cs/2012/08/are_you_sure_youre_not_a_bad_b.html?awid=5579446836070843808-3271) It definitely seems to be well researched and the conclusions appear to be comprehensive.  Although I am always suspicious when the number of conclusions reached using the Scientific Method exactly matches the number of fingers on the scientist.  But I understand it makes for great copy.

Since the article does not offer any practical advice for a bad boss to address these “10” deficiencies I thought I would add my two cents worth here.  Based on my experience in helping a “large number” of bosses become better everything the article talks about can be improved (perhaps not fixed) by improving communication.  To do this I encourage every boss to follow these three steps:

1. Every Friday have each of your direct reports send you their Weekly Plan for the following week.  Don’t get hung up on the format (an Excel spreadsheet usually works best).  DO NOT let them simply print out their Outlook calendar.  This encourages everyone to think ahead about what they need to accomplish.  And it gives you an idea of where your people are spending the company’s time.  Trust me, you will be shocked.
2. Set up Daily Planner Review Meetings with each of your direct reports.  These should be held at the same time each day, preferable in the morning.  And they should rarely (never) be missed.  Once the reviews get going they should last no more than 5 – 10 minutes.
3. Looking at a printed copy of the employee’s Weekly Plan ask them the following question: “Do you have everything you need to be successful today?”  Then listen to their response.  This is their opportunity to highlight any issues that have or may come up (and there is always something).  And it is your opportunity to help them resolve those issues – this is called “managing.” 

That's it.  These are the three practical steps that will drive effectiveness (reduce Waste) within your group.  What will also happen at these meetings is employees will have an opportunity to bring up anything else that may be a concern for them.  Any (good) manager knows that it is a lot easier to address small concerns before they become big concerns.

  

I wish I had seven other points to round out my list but that’s really all there is to it.  I cannot stress enough the importance of not cancelling these meetings.  Ironically something I often see is a manager start to take the increase in performance (and employee satisfaction) for granted.  And the next thing you know they are missing their Daily meetings with their direct reports.  If you do start down this path to more effective management be forewarned that it is not a “quick fix” or a “flavour of the month.”

I should also address the elephant in the room which is my least favourite term “Micromanagement.”  If you are reading this with your arms crossed and a knowing sneer on your face you are probably thinking to yourself "I don't need to talk to my employees.  They know what to do and when they have a problem they can come find me." If this describes you then I strongly encourage you to NOT try this with your direct reports.  In fact I strongly encourage you to NOT have any direct reports at all.  Please.

To me (and I think most people) micromanaging involves standing next to someone and repeatedly asking them “Are you done yet?  Are you done yet?  Are you done yet?” and so on.  What I am advocating is NOT that.  If you open your mind and let the concepts flow in you will realize that by doing the three things above you are actually giving your employees the greatest gift of all…your time.”

When you are explaining this to your direct reports, especially the experienced ones who “know what they need to do,” be sure to emphasize that you need this information so you can help them (not the other way around).  You are simply asking them for their plan.  Then all you are doing is ensuring that they have everything they need from you.  If they do have everything then they are free to “have a nice day.”  If there’s something you can do for them, that’s all you want to know.

@leanmind