Is management broken? Management author Rosa Say loves this question. For it implies that what is broken can be fixed. Can managers learn? And can they take that knowledge and effect enhanced performance from their coworkers? Quite frankly, I am not so optimistic.
To be sure, we cannot throw all managers into this soup of incompetence. Many are not broken. Many achieve enviable performance from an engaged workforce. Engaged because coworker's strengths are utilized, two-way communication is in order, expectations are made clear, frequent feedback is given, resources are made available, the whole (mind, body, heart, spirit) coworker recognized, achievements are noted and rewarded and respect is afforded.
Is it possible for the coworker to teach the manager to be a better manager?
Let's ask Ronald McDonald. Do you suppose that parents buy their kids Happy Meals because of advertising that is directed towards them? Or do you suppose that parents buy Happy Meals because their kids want them to buy them?
So we can offer managers a myriad of educational opportunities and encourage them to participate. Most likely the book gets shelved, the DVD gets put away, notes are lost - and it's back to work on Monday. I really like that new management idea. And I'll implement it the first moment that I am not so busy.
Bob, I wanna Happy Meal, errrr, Bob, I need to sit down with you and make sure that you and I are on the same page with what you expect from me.
So, can we get managers to buy Happy Meals? Tune into The Technician Shop and lets give it a try!
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