A manager is not a leaning pole, but should remove the need to lean.

The Role of Managers is not to give people someone to lean on, but to remove the need for people to lean.

  Some managers seem to believe they need to be the ‘go to’ person for their staff, or to be the expert.  Other managers believe that they should be the emotional leaning pole if not the technical support.

  Other managers believe they should be the traffic director, the person to clear allocate work and clear up conflict.

  These dependent characteristics block staff from being totally capable and motivated to do their work.

  If the manager is required to motivate staff, then how will staff act when the manager is not there?

  If the manager is required to ‘lead by example’, then how will staff be led when the manager is not present?

  A great manager:

1.    Creates an environment for the work
2.    Teaches staff how to do the work.  
3.    Works quietly in the background to give staff the environment they require.
4.    Lets staff take kudos for their efforts.
5.    Knows that they must be the first to offer trust

  A great manager is not a leaning post.  A great manager takes away the need to lean.

Posted via email from Service with Purpose