Today I thought I’d share some insights on management. I think we all know what management is and I bet that 9 times out of 10 times, when one thinks of management one thinks of supervisors and subordinates, task planning, etc. To manage a team is to plan, organize, coordinate and assess activities and objectives.
I bet some of you have also heard about the art of managing upwards (i.e. your boss) and the importance of properly, efficiently and effectively managing the relationships with those above you on the food chain (sorry meant to say corporate ladder). But we’ll save this topic for another time.
I am also willing to bet that most of you have not heard of the art of managing sideways, and this is what I want to talk about today!
The art of management is not to dictate what needs to be done but to team-build, and collectively plan activities, coordinate and provide support in order to achieve the objectives in the most efficient and effective way. I can already hear some of you say: But that’s leadership!! No it’s NOT! Leadership is the art of inspiring and motivating someone to do more than they ever thought they could. Leadership is JFK going to a “janitor” (aka sanitation engineer) at NASA and spending time with him/her instead of the program director. Leadership is giving more attention to the line-staff in the “trenches” than the department heads. Leadership is the answer when JFK asked that janitor what his job was and the resounding reply was: “my job is to put us on the moon”! That is leadership – where everyone on the team feels like they’re contributing to the mission and things could not be achieved without their input.
Now, in terms of managing sideways, this is the art of providing lateral support and service without making it apparent that you’re actually managing the processes. Remember the art of management is not for one person (the boss) to look good at the expense of everyone on the team, but rather, to make your boss look good while the whole team looks good as well!
For example, instead of telling your coworker: Bobby – could you please do this, I’m swamped with this time sensitive project…(now you’re bossing your peer). You could say: Bobby – anything I can help you with? Once I’m done with this time sensitive project I’ll be able to help you with XYZ! By the way, how do you do this? Can you show me quickly? And so on. Now you’re offering help while asking for help as well, except that when you’re asking for help you’re actually empowering someone to showcase their strengths while you get to achieve your goals.
Please do not misunderstand. Managing sideways is not about fooling others and tricking them into helping you, it’s about you making your coworkers realize that their priorities are just as important to you as to them, and that Together, Everyone does Achieve More than on their own (T.E.A.M). Managing sideways is about empowering people to showcase their skills, their strengths and making everyone realize their value to the team overall!
So next time you’re at work, give it a try, and let me know how it works for you! I for one know that I would not have had the success that I have had to date, had it not been for using the three types of management approaches in an interconnected way!
As I always say: there are two things you can do – either you do it or you don’t!
At Your Service,
Aurelian
