1.5 THE SKILLS YOU NEED TO BE A GREAT BOSS: Management By Wandering Around (MBWA)

(EXTRACTION FROM TEAM MANAGEMENT: Management Skills at http://www.mindtools.com)

 

Common Management Misconceptions

Michael Porter, Jay Lorsch, and Nitin Nohria explored common misconceptions about management in a 2004 Harvard Business Review article titled, "The Seven Things That Surprise New CEOs."

SEVEN SURPRISES FOR NEW CEOS
Surprise 1	You can’t run the company
Surprise 2	Giving orders are very costly
Surprise 3	It is hard to know what is really going on
Surprise 4	You are always sending a message
Surprise 5	You are not the boss
Surprise 6	Pleasing shareholders is not the goal
Surprise 7	You are still only human

 

Staying in Touch with Your Team

A boss can be admired for wisdom, knowledge and expertise without being distant and disconnected.  Building a wall around yourself can undermine problem solving and decision making since your team may not gain from your experience.  Being connected can be a major factor for success.  The more connected you are, the better you can understand what motivates members of the team, analyze what's really going on, and find solutions that meet the needs of the people and the company.

To get connected and stay connected, you need to:

·        walk around and talk to your team,

·        work alongside them,

·        ask questions, and

·        be there to help when needed.

This is Management By Wandering Around (or Management By Walking About) – MBWA.

USE MBWA TO INCREASE THE FOLLOWING
Approachability	·        staff sees you as a person and not just a boss o   they'll be more likely to tell you what's going on ·        get the chance to learn about issues before they become problems
Trust	·        gets to know you better o   they'll trust you more ·        inclined to share more information o   that will break down barriers to communication
Business knowledge	·        Get out and learn what's happening on a daily basis ·        give a better understanding of the functions and processes
Accountability	·        interact daily with your team ·        everyone is more motivated to follow through
Morale	·        provide staffs with opportunities to be heard
Productivity	·        Many creative ideas come from casual exchanges ·        people will more likely feel free to come to you with their ideas

 

HOW TO IMPLEMENT MBWA
1	Relax ·        People will sense your genuineness and casualness
2	Listen and observe more than you talk
3	Ask for feedback and ideas ·        Let everyone know that you want ideas to make things
4	Wander around equally ·        be approachable to everyone, regardless of job title or position ·        Don't spend more time in one department or section than another ·        don't always talk to the same people, or to people with certain ranks
5	Use the time for spontaneous recognition ·        If you see something good, compliment the person
6	Hold meetings "out and about" ·        meet with people in their work areas and "on their turf” ·        Communicate your expectations and needs so that everyone knows what you value
7	Don't use this time to judge or critique ·        talk to the person later, in private
8	Answer questions openly and honestly ·        Telling half-truths can break down trust
9	Communicate ·        "walk-arounds" are opportunities to mutually share information that helps everyone understand and do their jobs better
10	Chat ·        Effective organizations aren't all about work, work, work ·        Build relationships ·        Learn the names of your staff's kids ·        Joke, laugh, and have fun
11	Don't overdo it ·        Don't leave people feeling that you're always looking over their shoulders!