Simplification: a manager is someone who manages
Hi folks,
Today is the last post of this series. It will be a little different, dear reader. I got a question last night from a hopelessly lost soul and I thought answering the question would help make my point for the fifth and final simplification.
Before we start, I wanted to take a moment to thank you all for reading. Best of luck to you all on your upcoming journeys to becoming helpful, truthful, and punctual managers. Always remember to train everyone in your teams and never forget to keep it simple.
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Dear BB,
I’ve read your posts and I’m inspired.
I’m ready to manage NOW!
But, I’m not a manager yet – so what should I do?
Signed,
Me from six years ago******************
Dear… me,
Goodness, how did you find my email? I’ll answer your question if you promise never to write in again. Got it?
OK… here goes…
My advice is to just start managing. I know this doesn’t really make sense and you worry that you’ll piss some people off. Don’t worry – you’re gonna piss people off, anyway, so might as well do so because of something you want to do rather than for some other thing.
But anyway – just start. I know my advice this week was directed at managers and it would certainly be easier to do those things if you were already in the role. But just like any skill, managing is something you need to do, not say you want to do, because otherwise no one will ever really see that you want to (or can) do it.
Here’s how I would frame my four simplifications to approach this:
Simplification: a manager must do things on time
This means you have to get your work done on time. Trust me, no one is going to make you responsible for other people’s work if you can’t get your own stuff done.
Simplification: whoever helps makes it possible to work
This means always prioritize helping others ahead of doing your own thing. I know this might sound like a contradiction of the above, but it isn’t – the job is bigger than your current one and therefore comes with more responsibility. If you can figure out a way to do both, you’ve got the basic attributes needed to manage.
Simplification: a manager must train
Basically, this means showing people how to do things whenever you get the chance. The step up from helpful colleague to manager means formalizing the help you give others. Get in the habit of following up on an informal chat with a detailed process document. If you are regularly asked the same questions, prepare a basic FAQ so that others have access to your knowledge without needing full access to you.
Simplification: management techniques exist for those unable to tell the truth
Keep it simple and tell the truth. A manager must gather and distribute information – getting in this habit now will ensure that the information you give out is of the highest quality. If people see you as a good source, they’ll come to you with their own information.
And finally…
Simplification: a manager is someone who manages
Just start.
You wouldn’t hire a writer who didn’t write, a programmer who didn’t program, or a driver who didn’t drive, right? So why would a manager be different? Remember - the easiest person to promote is already doing the job.
Signed,
The Business Bro
