| When an employee raises this issue in a performance | | | | you the opportunity to show how to get things done |
| review, it's usually not a surprise because the boss is | | | | through others among other things. |
| thinking the same thing about her career. But, for both | | | | Organization and planning is ever present in any |
| the timing isn't right. Faced with an uncertain economy, | | | | manager's job. One of the fundamental precepts |
| executives at companies large and small have | | | | managers need to keep in mind is, what got our |
| reduced staff and heaped more responsibilities on | | | | company here today, isn't what will get us where we |
| surviving managers at all levels, frequently without | | | | want to be in the future. You have to overcome the |
| compensating them financially or with a new title. In the | | | | fact that It's always more comfortable to do what |
| process, managers seek to cope by working longer | | | | you've been doing than to change. |
| and harder. | | | | Managers spend over 70% of their time |
| However, there is a better way. Deliver a | | | | communicating. Unfortunately, the message we usually |
| performance the executive management can't ignore. | | | | hear is completely different than the one that was |
| When that happens, you will break out of the pack and | | | | sent. According to recent studies, approximately 90% |
| be on the fast track to promotion. What I am | | | | of our understanding of personal communication |
| suggesting is that you concentrate on mastering four | | | | comes from non-verbal things such as body language. |
| skills: organization and planning, communications, | | | | However, the biggest problem in communicating is poor |
| managing people and problem solving. Working within | | | | listening skills and active listening is considered a |
| the company culture and on work teams are two high | | | | learned behavior. |
| profile venues management uses to evaluate | | | | Companies that have success year after year |
| managers effectiveness. So that's where you need to | | | | characteristically have core values that remain fixed. |
| showcase your skills. While other skills are important | | | | These values play a vital role in managing people so |
| too, they aren't nearly as likely to get you promoted as | | | | know them well. Motivating employees helps maintain |
| mastering these four. | | | | and exceed performance levels. Whether by incentive |
| Company culture is an amalgam of many things. Most | | | | programs or introducing new and more difficult tasks, |
| often, it is strongly reflective of the CEO and his or her | | | | the manager's role is to make it happen. |
| vision and values. Cultural habits and norms are | | | | Problem solving and making decisions is at the core of |
| powerful reinforcements of the status quo so it is | | | | a manager's responsibilities. Prioritize your problems |
| vitally important that you aware of and understand the | | | | first. You don't want to react to a problem, you want |
| culture. That's because, at one time or another , you | | | | to understand it. Then, if it's a complex problem, break it |
| will want to execute an idea or project and find out | | | | down into parts and begin to deal with it one part at a |
| some aspect or element of the culture has become a | | | | time. There are excellent analytical tools to help and |
| barrier to your success. To be effective, you have to | | | | you should know what they are. If it's a decision your |
| know how to change or get around that barrier. | | | | boss has to make, take it to him, but with your |
| Working on teams, particularly as team lead, demands | | | | recommendations on what should be done. |
| great people skills. And here I would suggest you insist | | | | There are a variety of ways to master the four skills, |
| on receiving some training before taking on a team | | | | i.e. books, community college courses, company training |
| lead position. Conflict resolution is one ingredient of that | | | | programs, or watching how other managers have |
| training that is essential. As team lead, there will be | | | | progressed up the promotion ladder. Whatever |
| negotiation and discussion upwards, sideways and | | | | avenue you choose, start now and then you can tell |
| downward in the organizational chain which will give | | | | your boss, "Promote Me! I'm ready. |