Management On The Move

One problem faced by all managers moving into a more senior position is the potential isolation from the sharp end of the business. New managers often raise this point in a management training course. It is too easy to become isolated from the issues that, if tackled, would help the company to thrive.

A recent television programme tackled this subject by sending executives undercover to work alongside their employees. Whilst this made good entertainment, we do not recommend that you go undercover in order to achieve the same results.  Instead we suggest you practice Management On The Move which is an excellent way of reducing management isolation to a minimum.

Management on the Move means that you keep on going to see people. You are likely to be received coolly to start with. Many employees feel intimidated when their boss suddenly arrives and starts asking questions. They can become suspicious and reluctant to communicate.

Do not be put off by this. When employees realise that the visits are routine, their suspicions soon disappear. They may even see you as providing a welcome break from the job!

It is important however that you have a good explanation ready for your habit of walking around as your staff will ask you your reasons, as covered on any good management training course. If they do, tell them the truth: that you want to increase your personal contact so that when problems arise in individual departments, you will find out in time.

One of the dangers of Management on the Move is that employees may try to use your visits to pass over their own line managers and escalate problem directly to you. It is important to discourage this inappropriate escalation as their immediate superiors must not feel that their authority is being undermined by your visits. Ask the member of staff first of all whether they have talked it over with their superior, if not refer the problem back to the line manager to resolve.

How much time should bosses spend walking around? There are some who spend at least thirty minutes or so each day in their employees . Others in charge prefer to talk to the staff during breaks. There really is no right or wrong answer. You may deliberately choose to vary your routine so as to see as many different employees as possible at different times of the day. For example, you could start using a different entrance each day thereby talking to different people on your way to the office.

You can also further develop your management skills by attending a management training course.

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