Ducks In A Row: Managers
by Miki Saxon
In a speech to company managers, reprinted in The HP Way, Dave Packard perfectly summed up what makes Jane or Johnny run.
“People work to make a contribution and they do this best when they have a real objective, when they know what they are trying to achieve and are able to use their own capabilities to the greatest extent.”
I would add that “their own capabilities” means
- being given full information and authority to get the job done, as opposed to
- being forced to return again and again for clarification or having to constantly run to the boss to get something authorized.
The first approach is the one chosen by managers so confident and powerful that they work to hire people smarter than themselves, empower them and spend their energy developing them—knowing that they will either be promoted or leave.
The second approach is the choice of mangers who are weak and insecure.
Which are you?
Image credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/zedbee/103147140/
February 8th, 2011 at 9:22 am
You have run more than this article recently speaking of hiring people smarter than yourself! Thank you! That has always been my philosophy and I had a manager 2 years ago who marked me way down on my evaluation and actually put me on probation because I wasn’t the best in my department. I was flabbergasted to say the least! Why wouldn’t I hire the best and brightest to take care of our customers? Fortunately for me that manager has moved on and my new manager thinks the same way I do! I have my own strengths and do my job well but I do not have to be the best at the technical and customer service part and I trust the people I hire to do their work well without me standing over their shoulder.
February 8th, 2011 at 9:33 am
Hi Julie, I fixed the typo for you:)
Keep in mind that to hire smarter means that you are secure in your own competence, which, obviously, your old boss wasn’t. My guess is that you terrified him/her.
It also sounds as if some of the difficulties we discussed a couple of years ago are over. I’m curious if you resolved them or they left with that manager.