Manage v/s Micromanage

Imagine a workplace with a number of staff being micromanaged.  In the extreme this would mean that the manager has to fix the photocopier EVERY time it jammed, or at the very least would have written the step-by-step procedures followed in minute detail.

We often complain about the difficulties in managing our staff, our work, our children, our partners - in fact, everything in our entire rich and chaotic lives.

But - do we have trouble managing or are we stuck trying to micromanage?

Micromanaging means that we are acutely aware of every change in the details of things - regardless of what those changes are, and we try to control every single one of them!

You know you are micromanaging if:

• You are always "on call"
  
• Your open door office is never closed
  
• You can't focus on your work because you are doing everyone else's
  
• You are the bottleneck in the productivity flow.
  

If you find that you are micromanaging - try these simple steps:

• Think BIG picture
  
• Remember what your true role (and worth) is
  
• Clarify and communicate how you best serve your organisation
  

Remember - by micromanaging your are stopping EVERYONE from shining.  You cannot do your best, and nor can they. 

Tips to Help You Improve Your Concentration

We all have difficulty concentrating at times. Sometimes it is because what we are doing is boring, tedious or too repetitive - other times it might be because we are tired. Think about when you were really interested in something. Did you have trouble concentrating on that?

If your life depending on something, would you manage to concentrate?
So the challenge really is to maintain our focus and concentration when we have to, but don't want to. Think of a time you could concentrate easily. What did you do, and how did you do it? What could you do now that would help you use the techniques you used then?

Here are some more tips to aid concentration:
Set up a routine helps - just as students get into a study routine to help them concentrate and complete their assignments and study.
Some people like to do exercise - either team or individual sports. Make it something you enjoy.
Get enough sleep and take some time out for relaxation.
Consider a personal trainer or joining a gym.
Try yoga, meditation or even a martial arts discipline.
Try reading a book, doing crossword puzzles, sudoku, playing bridge, chess etc.
Enjoy what you are doing - IN THE MOMENT. This helps you to concentrate.
Match your goals to your values - this helps you to concentrate and achieve your dreams.
Try to make what you are doing fun.
Enjoy what you are doing - this helps concentration!

In Summary:
Set goals - be committed to what you are doing.
Maintain a healthy life style - eat wisely, avoid stimulants (drugs, alcohol, caffeine, chocolate). Get adequate sleep.
Keep the same routine to get into the habit of concentrating.

Winning Friends

How we do everything we do counts. Our past beliefs and behaviours can shape our current work and relationships.

I recently heard an interview discussing why one politician (Dr Brendan Nelson) became leader of the Liberal Party in Australia after the recent elections rather than another politician (Malcolm Turnball).

The comment was that Dr Nelson (who trained and worked as a medical practitioner) was collaborative, took issues to the party room and discussed these issues with members of the party. Mr Turnball on the other hand tended to make his own decisions - and he was a very successful businessman prior to pursuing a political life.

It struck me that these men continued with the styles of management and interaction that best suited their previous work experiences. A medical practitioner HAS to tread carefully, collect information (knowledge and training) and research (test results, reading) so that they can make the correct diagnoses and provide the best treatment for their patients - a wrong decision can affect life and limb. A businessman has to make decisions quickly, act on them immediately and repair the problems once they become apparent - and a wrong decision can cost dearly.

Both used a personal and management style that reflected their past work experiences and preferences, and both add greatly to their worlds. In different contexts their individual styles and preferences can be varyingly successful.

What is your style and approach? Does it serve your current goals and purpose, or does it hinder your outcomes?