EXECUTIVES NEED TO STOP BEING MANAGERS
May 25, 2022
The most difficult thing for executives to do is to delegate to managers, help managers step up, and in turn, get themselves out of managing projects. Deep down, executives really want to get out of managing things; and on the same token, managers really want to step up and not have the executives jump into the minutia of things.
Here are the 6 things that your managers should do weekly to step up, help executives get out of managing things, and yet work better together as a team:
1. MANAGERS MEET WITH EXECUTIVES TO ALIGN ON TOP PROJECTS
They should meet and agree on the top 10-15 top projects to focus on for the next 3-6 months. These should include the strategic goals, who are the project quarterbacks, and who else is on which teams.
2. MANAGERS GAME PLAN THE TOP PROJECTS PROJECTS
Managers game plan the top projects The various managers and team quarterbacks then meet and draft a 1-page document for each project, with milestones, and deadlines. These game plans help provide direction and organization.
3. MANAGERS GET INPUT FROM STAFF TO IMPLEMENT BETTER
The managers, quarterbacks, and supervisors meet with the staff, incorporate their input into the game plans, re-align with executives, and train people as needed. Then agree when implementation starts.
4. PROBLEMS, ISSUES, AND IDEAS GET COMMUNICATED UP
Managers, quarterbacks, and supervisors regularly meet with staff, discuss the problems and issues they face when implementing, and discuss solutions from the staff.
5. MANAGERS RE-GROUP TO KEEP EVERYTHING MOVING
The managers then meet weekly - without the executives - to oversee the status and progress of projects, and have tough professional conversations to hold each other accountable and celebrate progress.
6. MANAGERS REPORT UP TO EXECUTIVES The executives have to be kept up with what’s going on, so the managers would then regularly report up on the progress of projects, and propose new ideas. Note: When managers proactively keep this routine, you will see their leadership increase and encourage executives to get out of managing things.
