TIPS FOR THE DETACHED MANAGER - HOW TO PUT SOME JUICE BACK INTO YOUR BUSINESS "Running a company is not an academic exercise..
It’s the business of working with people.."
- Leigh Farnell " I want to be king, lord and ruler of all the land as far as the eye can see..I will have divine powers over all that live on this land. I will rule without fear or favour..."proclaimed the young prince in the shiny golden robes...His aide smiled with pride. But then his smile fell to a grimace and he felt his stomach turn when he heard the prince continue, "But keep me away from the people.... they bring only troubles..."
"But sire....if one is to rule, one must deal with those you rule over... You cannot hide yourself away in an ivory castle.."
" Of course I can...I can do as I please, I will be their king.."
The aide paused, braced himself, took in a deep breath and continued..
" Sire, an ancient wise man once told me.." The king who cares little for his people will soon find a people who care little for their king.."
" But I am their king. They must do as I obey because I am their king. I have the power because I am the king.."
" Sire, with all due respect. You only have the power because they deem that you have the power. Your power is but an invisible thread that links you and your subjects. If the people so desire, they can cut this thread at any time. It is you who serve them, not they who serve you."
With that the prince became terribly confused. He pondered on the words of his wise and trusted aide. For three days and nights he pondered. On the morning of the fourth day he came to his aide and said "So if I am to rule, first I must serve my people. If I am to rule, I must care for my people. If I am to rule, I must love my people. If I am to have power, first I must acknowledge the power of my people. If I am to be respected, first I must give respect. If I am to command loyalty from my people, first I must give loyalty to my people.."
The smile returned to the face of the aide. He now knew the prince was now ready to be a King.
POWER AND POSITION So often in businesses a manager or supervisor will live under the delusion because they have the title of manager, they are a manager. That the title of General Manager makes them a General, or Managing Director transforms them (as if by some act of magic) into a Director of Managers....
Power does not come with position. Respect does not come with the title. Business acumen does not come with a fancy business card. The ability to bake a cake does not come just because you know where to buy the recipe book.
GETTING THE HANDS DIRTY In every decade we have new approaches to management. We've had Scientific Management, Rational Management, Management by Objectives, Total Quality Management, New Age Management, One Minute Management and even Liberation Management...
In some of these approaches, managers are sometimes given the impression that businesses can be run as if by some magical scientific formulae.."add 10 operational staff, 2 administration staff, 3 new pieces of machinery, 2 computers, some capital, a cash flow projection and 2 sales staff and a good manager... sit back in your big leather chair in the corner office...Abrica dabra and away you go.."
Yet in reality, unless managers are prepared to deal with people as people, be prepared to feel, to laugh, to cry, to love, to live with passion, hopes, dreams and aspirations, the business has no soul.
Running a business is not an objective, detached, academic exercise; its the business of dealing with people. People with hearts, minds, souls, spirits. People with goals, dreams, hopes and aspirations. Great leaders have always understood this. John F. Kennedy, Martin Luther King, Winston Churchill, Mahatma Ghandi and Golda Mier all dealt with people as people, not as subjects, objects, voters or numbers.
Here are some tips to put more people power into your business.
TIPS FOR DEALING WITH PEOPLE IN BUSINESS 1. Share your goals, dreams and aspirations People need dreams. People need to be reminded that they have their own dreams, hopes and aspirations. As a manager, have the courage to share your dreams with your team. At your next staff meeting, share your vision for the next three to five years in your business. Talk of your feelings, your excitement, even your fears and doubts. Watch your team come alive...
2. Let them know your expectations Let your team know what you expect of them. What you expect of them as a group and what you expect of them as individuals. "Mary, for this team to work well what I expect from you is...." Also give your team the opportunity to tell you "what they (we) expect from you as a manager for this team to work well.."
3. Be prepared to give and receive feedback As part of your expectations, let your team know you expect them to give and receive feedback. Give and receive feedback both to you and to each other. Let people know you don't just want a team of "yes-people..". You want people who will tell you if something needs to change. Who will tell you if they think you're on the wrong track...And who will tell each other when things are going well. People who have the courage to celebrate success..
4. Have a code of ethics Create a Code of Ethics, or Code of Behaviour, or Rules of the Game. Do this as a team by asking four great questions:
1. What do we want to see people doing around here for our team to perform to our potential?
2. What do we consider to be acceptable and desirable behaviour?
3. What don't we want to see around here if our team is to perform to its potential?
4. What do we consider to be unacceptable and undesirable?
behaviour ?
5. Be prepared to deal with emotions Sometimes people feel happy. Sometimes they feel sad. Many times, especially in times of rapid change and high-pressure deadlines, emotions like anger, frustration or disappointment may appear. In many of these cases, at the core of the emotion is a desperate need for help and support. As a manager be prepared to acknowledge the emotion and help the person. A business without an ability to deal with emotion will also lack emotion. A business that lacks emotion will also lack excitement, humour, courage, faith and hope.
6. Be prepared to have fun...
Should business be fun?
Of course, if it’s not fun, what are you doing in it ?
As a manager, look for ways to introduce fun. It might be something as simple as giving out a funny greeting card from time to time. (like the Gary Larson FarSide cards..) Or you might call an impromptu party. What about a funny socks day or a boss serving the secretary day..? Funny faxes, Dial a Basket, Gorilla - Grams and movie nights are just a few ideas to build on...
Having fun not only builds the team, it also stimulates creativity...and creativity stimulates new ideas.... and new ideas stimulates innovation. And in times of change if you're not innovative, you're going backwards.
The manager of the new millennium cannot be a closet manager. The manager of the new millennium understands their job is to serve their people. The successful manager of the new millennium has already learnt the lesson of the young prince..
"So if I am to rule, first I must serve my people. If I am to rule, I must care for my people. If I am to rule, I must love my people. If I am to have power, first I must acknowledge the power of my people..If I am to be respected, first I must give respect..If I am to command loyalty from my people, first I must give loyalty to my people.."
Serve your people well and they will serve you well.
About the author Leigh Farnell is an international speaker and consultant who believes that business can be both fun and profitable.
He travels the globe speaking to audiences who want better results in business.
He has over 20 years experience dealing with over 300 companies that read like an international who’s who…
Contact him at www.bluerocket.com.au or www.leighfarnell.com
Tips For The Detached Manager - How To Put Some Juice Back Into Your Business - To learn more about this author, visit Leigh Farnell's Website.
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Leigh Farnell
(Visit Leigh's Website)
Leigh Farnell has helped over 300 of his
clients make millions of dollars in extra
sales and profits. He is known as Mr.
Innovation.
His Blue Rocket 4 Step Colour Zone Sales
System has increased sales in retail,
mortgage broking, real estate, banking,
motor car sales, insurance and fashion.
With his Blue Rocket business partner John
Blake, he creates 'rocket fuel for sales
teams.'
Blue Rocket even offer a 'Improve Your
Sales or Money Back Guarantee..
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