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August 25 I am NEVER that busy!I was in a review with one of the people I manage. We do reviews on a six month schedule. We used to do them just one a year, but found that too much time goes back to make it effective. But that's another story for another time.
So I'm sitting in the review with this person, and the following conversation started:
Even though most managers have an "open door policy", most people they manage either don't believe it or feel that they are "bothering" their managers with issues that they aren't really sure are important to those managers. And, I know that there are managers that don't make the time, and do feel bothered. I will admit that in the past I used to be a little more that way. But I quickly realized that I was being a very poor manager. I was forgetting my primary job - to help their people succeed. If their people succeed, everyone wins - customers, management, shareholders, owners, and employees. Once I knew that, I MADE THE TIME!
As a manager, you need to demonstrate to your people that you will make the time for your people. Sure, you do expect them to be empowered enough to resolve many issues by themselves or with others. But, if they get stuck, they are to come get help to get unstuck.
Funny thing was in this situation, the other person that he was jealous about was another one of my managers. He comes into my office for a couple of hours each week on and off with various issues. I never had to have this conversation with him. He just GOT it! He knew that he was expected to come to me, and that I would make the time. I had demonstrated that to him on numerous occassions. He also gets it that he expect management to be there for their people. He doesn't have to apologize for it. He doesn't have to feel less worthy because of it. He has done what he can and needs advice and help. And, I am thankful to be helpful to him.
I will have to have more conversations like this until the other person feels comfortable that I will be there for them. There will be others that I will need to see that they are having struggles and jump in and help -- because they are the kind of people that have a hard time acknowledging and accepting that they need help. TrackbacksWeblogs that reference this entry
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