Managers are rushed. They have a lot more to do today with
fewer resources. It is natural to take the quickest route
to accomplish an immediate task. Far too often this takes
the form of telling a subordinate what to do and how to do
the desired task. Big mistake. You will not develop the
skills of your people doing it this way.
Direct orders and instructions are fine for the new and
unskilled worker, but more seasoned workers are looking to
develop their abilities. Being consistently treated as a
novice who has little to contribute does not help them
grow. When managed this way, they become dependent, bored,
or unhappy with their work. Worse, the worker never learns
how to become a creative contributing member of the team.
The manager may think she/he is saving time, after all they
have done this before and know, or think they know, the
best way to do the job.
Modern managers and executives have learned that taking the
extra time to involve workers in the decision making
process and getting their input into getting the job done
is the way to develop better workers. Strategic
collaboration with workers on how to do their job helps the
worker understand his/her job better. They may come up with
different ways to reach the same goals. Their procedure may
be a) better than the old way or b) not necessarily a
better way for others but better for the worker because of
her/his way of thinking. Moreover, the sense of ownership
in the task creates interest, excitement and sense of
fulfillment.
Managers may feel that they do not have the time to engage
in the strategic approach. In the short run, tell and show
is quicker, but strategic collaboration develops the
workers' ability to be more self reliant. The benefits are
that time is actually saved, morale is higher, and
productivity increases. This "collaborative approach" is
also called the "coach approach" and is a teachable skill.
STRESS BUSTING TECHNIQUES Stress will undermine your
ability to perform well -- judgment becomes clouded, temper
less controlled, and energy lessened. Fortunately, a few
simple techniques can relieve stress and restore vigor.
I devote a few chapters in my book on stress relieving
techniques. One of my favorites is to lie down, get relaxed
and imagine that your breath is coming in through your feet
and gently massaging your feet, then your calves, then
thighs--all the way up each part of your body, ending with
massaging your scalp. You can actually feel tingling in
parts of your body as you imagine this. If you feel any
tense muscle, you are to deliberately tense it hard for a
few seconds and then suddenly relax it. When you are
through, your tension will be gone because emotional stress
is directly tied to physical tension. You can't be tense
and stressed while completely relaxed. One of my clients
used relaxation techniques to help cure himself of
irritable bowel syndrome, a very serious illness.
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Stan Mann, C.P.C. supports business owners, top executives
and commission salespeople to substantially grow their
business and have a balanced life. He is a Certified
Professional Coach. For additional articles and resources
please visit http://www.stanmann.com