Food for Thought

Hi and welcome to 'Food for Thought'.

Every month we'll post in this section a new thought or article relating to an issue, challenge or hot topic faced by Leaders and Teams. Please feel free to comment or add your own thoughts...

This month, it's an issue very close to my heart...

An appeal to whoever’s got my time...

Ok, so own up, who out there has my time? Somebody out there must have it because I don’t. I know I had some time a couple of weeks ago, I remember... I put it aside specifically so that I could use it this week. ..but now it’s gone and I need it back – URGENTLY!

Management:   It’s like trying to herd cats!

If there’s one thing I’ve learnt about being a manager, it’s that despite my good intentions, expecting that I’ll find the time necessary to arrange all the activities that I have to do into some semblance of order before chaos reigns, is a bit like trusting a sheepdog to round up a bunch of cats – so utterly impossible that, like the hapless dog, hope, in the form of; “Oh, stuff it, let’s just pick one and chase it like stink!”, triumphs over logic nearly every time.

There is however, perhaps a lot more to this issue than just ‘time’. In fact, if I’m being really honest with myself, I’ve even thrown some wasted time away! ‘Problem is, wasted time is non-recyclable and if, like last week, I do put some time aside for important or pressing management activities (like putting up material on the website!) – I just don’t seem to be able to hold on to it for long.

...Is it just me or does this sound familiar to you too?

It’s called ‘Management’ for a reason!

As managers, the skill and talent to succeed is not measured by how well we cope with the numerous demands made of us or on our time. Were that true, then the discipline would be called; ‘Copingment’. The fact is it isn’t. It’s called ‘Management’ which by definition, infers that doing it well requires that you exercise control over exactly how and on what you spend your time.

Of course, the manager hasn’t been born yet that manages their time perfectly, who gets it right first time every time and who never makes a mistake - although that said, I have over the years, met a few (usually delusional!) individuals claiming to come close!

Don’t become a victim of your own failure

The plain fact is that Management isn’t easy. There are few if any ‘quick fixes’ or shortcuts to becoming an expert practitioner and how little or much of your time you invest in yourself, your knowledge and your personal skills, will determine your success. Accepting that we none of us are ever likely to be perfect; becoming a great manager takes practice. It takes self-awareness and it takes the maturity to both review and to continually challenge yourself to learn from your experiences; your successes – and more particularly - your failures.
 

It’s all too easy to blame circumstances beyond your control when things go wrong or when deadlines are missed. Anyone can play the ‘Victim’ - and the biggest victim statement of them all...?



...” I haven’t the time!”

Speaking of which...

What about you? How are you managing in management?

POSTED BY: David Angliss - Lead Consultant