From: dapetersen@miavx1.acs.muohio.edu (Toothpick (-:))
Newsgroups: alt.callahans
Subject: Re: A business major catching up.
Date: 14 Apr 92 03:36:52 GMT
Followup-To: alt.callahans
Organization: Petersen's Homestead

>>>Specifically, Jilara's statements about business generalists having no skills
>>>at all and Bear's statements on getting more people out of organizational
>>>work.  Now, I have a liberal business background with a double major: 
>>>Organizational Behavior and Personnel/Employee Relations.  In layman's terms,
>>>I studied a lot of psychology as it relates to workplace issues and a lot of
>>>specific personnel related functions (compensation, interviewing, training,
>>>etc...).
>>
>>"And if and when you reach top `management,' how many of these skills will you
>>still be using?   Not many, I'd wager."
> 
> Some of the best top managers I've seen remember their pasts, adapt
> and enhance these skills as they move up in addition to learning new
> ones, make sure they know quite a deal about the organization they
> manage, even if they don't know the moment-to-moment details, and at
> the same time don't meddle.

And I believe those types of managers are the one's who earn the respect
of others.  Managers who have 'been in the trenches' have a more realistic
view of the problems, demands, and potential of a given area.

>>>I believe that the problem with most ineffective managers comes from the
>>>fallacy that everyone WANTS to be a manager.
> [[ snip ]]
>>>So we take, for instance, technical people who have done a great job and
>>>promote them to head of some technical department.  But often, that takes
>>>people away from the very work they enjoyed!  It can put them in a position
>>>of authority over people who were once their peers. And often, no one trained
>>>them or taught them how to be a manager."
> 
> Anecdotal evidence, both my experience in the 'real world'(TM) and my
> brushes with the literature, has shown this true in many cases.  There
> are folk who do what they do very well and wish to keep on doing it.
> For them an undesired promotion into management, complete with
> pressure to accept this promotion ("it is a reward, you know" (yeah,
> right)), is like any other undesired change -- more of a punishment.
> 
> A promotion can also be a double social whammy.  Where social
> stratification exists, you're no longer one of the "guys/gals", and
> now you have to enter and learn a new circle.

I agree.  Management is (for better or worse, it seems) 50% politics and
subtilties...perhaps because some of the liason situations require tact
and diplomacy to be handled most effectively.

> Here's a general list of qualities that i offer you for your
> consideration.  Just a top-of-my-head list of things seen over the
> years.  (Caveat emptor.)
> 
> Good management typically:
>    Facilitates activity - adding structure to unproductive chaos and
> removing structure that hampers activity.

Often, the latter is the most difficult.

>    Is knowledgeable of the organization - all around - above, below
> and to the sides.  Could, in a pinch easily substitute for any peer,
> subordinate, or to some extent immediate superior.  Has some idea of
> what an action he/she issues really requires of those who do it.

A good point, but rare, I bet, and often a sore spot with subordinates.  If
more managers would take the time to listen, the associates usually know their
job the best.

> Observes before acting.

When possible...

>    Supervises subordinate managers and trains them to be good managers.

Also diffucult - some management styles work best with some people, others on
others.  I think it requires a sensativity to people's differences and 
and ability to reinforce strengths and gently correct weaknesses.

>    Acts as a buffer, interpreter and intermediary between the level
> above and those below.

Absolutely.  One of the most important functions...

>    Is knowledgeable of the necessary information to do the job and
> stays that way.
>    Is not preceded by alarm (as things are hidden or excuses prepared)
> and followed by whispers behind the back.
>    Knows how to listen, how to inquire, and when to leave off both.

Yes, yes, yes.

>    Is feared most for being firm but fair (or at least trying to be fair).

I don't believe that fear need be a neccessary characteristic.  Respect, yes,
but not fear.

> Some of the characteristics of "bad" management:
> 
>    Rules rather than facilitates.  Worried about the empire as it
> affects the emperor/ess.

*chuckle*  Toothpick remembers the plast place she worked.  Gads...

>    Knows the organization only for the purpose of manipulating it.

...to meet her/his ends.

> Probably couldn't or wouldn't do another's job competently.

But thinks (s)he can!

>    Passes any blame up or down, claims all the credit.
>    Is not up to date and blames others for his/her ignorance.
>    Often is preceded by a wave of activity and followed by more that
> whispers.  (e.g.  "Quick!  The boss!" and "Why can't he/she just sit
> in that office and leave us to our work?")
>    At best hears what she/he wants to hear.  Doesn't know how to
> listen.

At worst, truly doesn't care.

>    Is feared as an arbitrary tyrant, with any fairness being purely
> coincidental.

Boy, could I tell you stories from the last place I worked.  I just had a
get-together with a few friends from there.  It took them 15 minutes to
update me on who hadleft and who was hired - and I've only been gone a month!
My dad used to ask me every day, "So, who quit today?"  And every week,
I'd have at laest 5 names to tell him.  It was amazing.

The sad thing is, when I left, I spent a fair amount of time just talking to
people, soliciting input.  I put it in a 5 page memo, single spaced, and made
an appointment with the president (which scared me to death, since he has a
reputation of throwing things at people).  He not only canceled, but he
never rescheduled.  He basically blew me off.  It REALLY upset me, because
the people there get treated WORSE that bad.  (Mandelbear...where's that 
Mushroom song of yours?!)  It was most definately the best case of doing
everything wrong.  But somehow, the company is makign money.  Of course, *I'd*
never buy one of their computers! (-:

> Managers, in short, are folks doing a job.  They can be good or bad or
> anywhere inbetween as a manager for any number of reasons."

No no! DON'T tell them THAT!  Managers are gods and goddesses.  You should
worship and revere them!  Pay them lots of money! *gringringrin*

> "BTW:  Happy Birthday DM"

Oh, I'm getting to that post!  Give me time!

Toothpick
(I'm late, I'm late, for a very important date...)