Management: The hows
I've always thought, management was the process of organising people into functional, productive individuals. And ensuring that these tasks are assigned to those who are best suited for their roles and driving them to connect to the business's goal over all. Like a body with organs, functioning together to make you and I live.
It appears to me, however, I've stumbled onto some sort of a revelation, probably a little late. I think I realised that management is also the ability to manage yourself, first and foremost. And to use your power responsibly, ethically and ensuring that, while your own staff may be working together, you are not sabotaging their work by being counter productive.
An unappreciative boss is a demotivating rotten apple.
And so would be the angry, fuming man that you need to meet every day.
And a care free one, may allow you to step out of the box, but when you return you may find that the box has disappeared.
A mixed one may confuse you, and if you're a man, a moody one may fly right past you ( I hate to be sexist, but women are better at reading moods).
An overly protective one may make you feel like a gem, but some point of time you'll end up being a big fish in a small pond.
Some more from Sowmya,
Thankless Bosses - Those who express perpetual dissatisfaction intentionally so you will try harder to please them.
Micromanagers - Headmasters with a cane in hand, they demand hourly report on work status, your occupation etc.
Process Maniacs - These can be ridiculous and disastrous if they are dumb about everything else other than process. They want to adhere to timelines, schedule, the expected number of documents even if none of them serve their purpose.
Those who exercise authority needlessly - find flaws just because they have a right/authority to, give a dozen review comments, 9 out of them related to document formatting....
And the list of bad bosses goes on. And when they say a boss is good, I wonder, how many say they're good because they actually are good. And how many say it because it's pleasing to the ear?
And I'm learning that it's a lot more tricky that it looks. And you have to be a trickster, a juggler, a spectator, a caged animal, an opening act and well, a clown to really run a circus.
It appears to me, however, I've stumbled onto some sort of a revelation, probably a little late. I think I realised that management is also the ability to manage yourself, first and foremost. And to use your power responsibly, ethically and ensuring that, while your own staff may be working together, you are not sabotaging their work by being counter productive.
An unappreciative boss is a demotivating rotten apple.
And so would be the angry, fuming man that you need to meet every day.
And a care free one, may allow you to step out of the box, but when you return you may find that the box has disappeared.
A mixed one may confuse you, and if you're a man, a moody one may fly right past you ( I hate to be sexist, but women are better at reading moods).
An overly protective one may make you feel like a gem, but some point of time you'll end up being a big fish in a small pond.
Some more from Sowmya,
Thankless Bosses - Those who express perpetual dissatisfaction intentionally so you will try harder to please them.
Micromanagers - Headmasters with a cane in hand, they demand hourly report on work status, your occupation etc.
Process Maniacs - These can be ridiculous and disastrous if they are dumb about everything else other than process. They want to adhere to timelines, schedule, the expected number of documents even if none of them serve their purpose.
Those who exercise authority needlessly - find flaws just because they have a right/authority to, give a dozen review comments, 9 out of them related to document formatting....
And the list of bad bosses goes on. And when they say a boss is good, I wonder, how many say they're good because they actually are good. And how many say it because it's pleasing to the ear?
And I'm learning that it's a lot more tricky that it looks. And you have to be a trickster, a juggler, a spectator, a caged animal, an opening act and well, a clown to really run a circus.
Comments
I would like to add a few more bad bosses to your list (from I have seen and learnt)
Thankless Bosses - Those who express perpetual dissatisfaction intentionally so you will try harder to please them.
Micromanagers - Headmasters with a cane in hand, they demand hourly report on work status, your occupation etc.
Process Maniacs - These can be ridiculous and disastrous if they are dumb about everything else other than process. They want to adhere to timelines, schedule, the expected number of documents even if none of them serve their purpose.
Those who exercise authority needlessly - find flaws just because they have a right/authority to, give a dozen review comments, 9 out of them related to document formatting....
:) and many more...
But, that's why we were all made different. Bosses come quirky, and well we come that way too. Some bosses suit some people. For eg. a micro-manager is a great manager for me to work with. And no, I don't like admitting it, but the honest truth is that I'm a very happy go lucky person. A micro manager, I've found,always drives me to the point where I exceed my own expectations.