People come to you with a problem because it says, "Manager" on the door.
Your first reaction is to demonstrate how you earned that title. You never miss an opportunity to remind others that it is your resourcefulness, energy, problem-solving and ambition which resulted in you being named Manager.
What kind of manager are you? Are you a dictator ruling with an iron fist? Are you leading from atop your pedestal? Or, are you a delegating leader responsible for developing a team of competent assistants? Will some of these assistants have the potential to replace you when they ease you to higher responsibilities?
Many of us over-manage because the door plate says so.
At one time Xerox had a policy which stated managers don't like unsolved problems. Rather, subordinates were trained to analyse a problem, implement a solution and, only then, inform the manager what happened.
A very popular minister of a downtown church was extending his ministry to business executives during one noon hour a week. The ladies of the church prepared delicious meals for the group of 250 to 300 who came to soak up the wisdom and inspiration of this great orator.
I can't recall what fluke caused me to become the Chairman who made the organizational announcements and sat on the right hand of this great man. One day I was asked by a member to instruct other members to rush in and tip over a chair to signify it was reserved before getting in the food lineup. I dutifully noted this on my sheet of announcements when Pappy, his affectionate nickname, said not to do that. He said, "Let them work that out between themselves. It's only a few members doing that." And then he delivered the key lesson, "Don't over manage, my son."
May that resonate amid your managerial thoughts as it has mine over the years since.
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