Do you ever feel overwhelmed by all you have to do? You have a thousand tasks to accomplish. You have too many people to supervise. You have a team that needs attention. Where are you spending your time?
These days of “do more with less” is challenging every manager on the planet. The Adair leadership model shows three interlocking circles representing Task, Team and Individuals. Most managers I’ve asked say they take care of Tasks 80-90% of their day. And yet the definition of a “Manager” is “someone who gets work done through others.” How can you get better at getting work done through your team?
Unless you have a team consisting of 100% Stars, and Stars who also know how to work collaboratively, you are probably getting yourself in trouble by sitting at your computer instead of getting out amongst your people. What are they doing? How well are they doing it? How much are they improvising? What shortcuts are ultimately causing you trouble? And most importantly, what do they think of their relationship with you? These are all important questions to consider as you work on your management skills.
It is time to reconsider how you are spending your time? Time management is not a given for everyone. Go to a Time Management course once every few years to see how you are doing. Do you link every action you take to a goal you have set? Where are you off task? Similarly, consider taking a Management training course to brush up on the fundamentals of management.
Are you delegating well and often? Are you the only one who can possibly do every job you are currently doing? What are your hesitations? Not everything is delegable but probably many more things are than what you’ve delegated to date. How is it hurting some of your team members to not have the opportunity to do things they have potential for but are never asked to do? If you freed up 10% of your management time and spent that time visiting your staff, how would that inform you? What might happen to your management skills and your relationships with staff?
What you don’t know may very well be hurting you. Find ways to get out of the poor habit of answering that next email, telling yourself that only you can do “that” job and plain old laziness. Stand up, walk about, and go see your people. That is why you are member of the management team.
Learn more about mastering your management skills by visiting our website at www.boldnewdirections.com or go to our sister site www.managementtraininginstitute.com to get free resources.
Jim Hornickel is co-founder of Bold New Directions, a transformational learning company that works with companies to transform people and performance through training solutions including seminars, webinars, coaching and keynote events. Bold New Directions specializes in training solutions that build leadership skills, communication skills and resilience at work. You can learn more about Jim Hornickel and his work at Bold New Directions by visiting www.boldnewdirections.com or www.managementtraininginstitute.com