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Becoming a resource. This action/power phrase describes a goal that every business manager/leader
needs to adopt. People who assume supervisory roles need to evaluate
their "becoming" activity on a regular basis. Those who can relax
their egos can even ask others to assist in the evaluation process.
Managers ask, "How can we develop ourselves and
continue to develop the people around us?" Let's first deal with
ourselves. We all need a plan as to how we are going to keep our
personal growth in the forefront. Here are some suggestions:
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Learn from other people's
experience-Keep looking and asking others for help and
feedback. There is no reason to redo what others have gone through.
Keep a journal if you desire. Who knows-it may become a best-seller!
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Stay healthy-No
one can be a resource if the human equipment is not functioning.
Mental and physical well-being is a constant struggle, but it
should be a priority for all of us.
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Use your time well-Time
on the job is far less important than results on the job. Constantly
question your organization's meeting schedule. You don't want
to die at a meeting; it looks bad in your obituary. Balance
home life and work. Prioritize, prioritize, prioritize! A good
resource person doesn't take a pager and cellular phone to a
Little League game. Taking vacation is mandatory, and don't
take just a day here and there. You must get away to allow yourself
freedom, but more importantly, to allow your people to work
independently of you, the resource.
Becoming a resource to other people becomes possible
after the personal growth plan is implemented and maintained. The
manager who functions as a resource is different from the manager
as dictator or the manager as "doer." A resource will:
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Choose the right time
to support-Timing is everything, and individualized support
is the key. What works for one person won't work for another.
When all else fails, ask your people how they want you to support
them.
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Communicate openly
and honestly-Al McGuire once said, "You can't fool people
below you." It's okay to overcommunicate. Watch for hidden meetings
and rumors.
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Be objective when listening-Get
the complete story and make sure to ask questions while you
are listening. Jumping to conclusions means you probably leaped
too soon.
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Allow feelings-This
advice probably is the most difficult to take. Sometimes your
heart has the right answer. Nothing is cut-and-dried (except
at a hair salon).
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Assign projects to
help people progress-Think through the following: How
will this project help our organization and help the person
grow? What are the objectives and expected results? How will
the communication work during the life of the project? What
type of celebration will occur when the project is completed?
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Support ongoing personal
improvement in all employees-Most organizations have
some sort of personnel evaluation program. If there is not an
educational program along with the evaluation process, then
we've missed an opportunity to move people to the next level.
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Correct only to help-Many
times we hurt with words and body language. While correction
of inappropriate or inefficient activity is important, how and
when we do the correction has long-term benefits or detriments,
depending on how it's handled.
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Be open to employee
concerns-If managers provide the right environment, people
will help them run the business. Meetings need to feature managers
listening as well as talking. If you say you'll do something,
do it. Follow up, follow up, follow up.
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Help people develop
their careers-Determine how you can be the teacher. What
are your short- and long-term plans to help people move their
careers along? What will people have to give up to achieve their
goals?
Becoming a resource also means you're available.
People feel comfortable having you "drop in" or dropping in on you.
You have become a problem-solving resource rather than the problem
solver. You might even be vulnerable by admitting mistakes and helping
others learn from theirs.
Of course, it doesn't end there. There will be
constant change, and you will have to become more flexible than
ever. Progress will be in everyone's vocabulary constantly, even
though the chart may look like a staircase rather than an upward
straight line.
And who knows-some days you may be the first person
out of the parking lot on your way home, rather than the last. This
"becoming a resource" stuff may have possibilities. |
