How do Managers Manage?

We all become managers in life - at work, home or elsewhere. Or atleast, we look forward to be one. But the fear of failure weighs down very heavily on our minds! Majority of us are not MBAs.

Even the ones who are, don't know 'how do managers manage in reality!'. After all, one man can't be present everywhere all the time everytime!!

I found that successful managers manage by some methods - formal or informal. I share these below. Many of these are self explanatory.

Management by -

* Objectives / Targets
- Manage the show by laying down objectives and/or targets. Then all you have to do is 'to do anything and everything to meet those objectives / targets'. Managing will come to you automatically.

* Systems / Processes / Models
- Design and implement systems / processes / models towards objectives. Then all you have to do is to manage those systems.

* Reports / Management Information Systems / Meetings / Reviews & Audits
- Many (if not all) managers are fond of reports. Just like a computerised machine summons information from every corner of the machine and then acts on it, the manager manages by acting on reports. Meetings / Reviews & Audit are sisters of reports.

* Free Flow Concept
- Another easy way to manage (especially a well established system) is to just keep looking for bottlenecks and keep removing them. In other words, just to ensure that everything 'flows' smoothly.

* Work Rule concept
- Step 1: Do it,
- Step 2: Do it well,
- Step 3: Next time do it in a better way,
- Step 4: Reduce effort and expenses, increase profit and output

Just keep on doing the 4 steps mentioned above religiously and you could be the best manager.

* Habits / Routine / Rituals
- Just keep developing and maintaing habits / routines /rituals.

* Delegation
- Manager's job is to manage the men to manage their assigned tasks.

* FPH rule
- Just keep on doing what is futuristic AND profitable AND healthy for the company or any entity (be it life / family / club etc.). Keep doing everything from top to bottom according to these touchstones.

Finally, remember the basics -

- The real role of a Manager is to manage processes rather than people. People can manage themselves if you let them.

- The Manager should be concentrating on the real job of management which is, strategy.

- Delegate! Let your people make mistakes. Soon they will learn it and you'll be free! Delegate as much as you can.

- Keep pruning the dead wood. It's very important to keep the plant healthy.

- Everyone has a special talent. The best part is that they thenselves want the manager to help them fully exploit their talents and achieve their potential.

- Hunt for best people. Deploy them correctly. Give them the best tools / resources / environment...Don't meddle in their affairs thereafter. Let them do what u want them to.

- Make it clear to your team what is and what isn't OK while being in your team!

- Take absolute responsibility if things fail! Manager should never be in the reckoning for the Credit.

- Celebrate…small or big! Even the well-fought failures!!

- Be strict and business-like, but respect people.

(For further ideas on being an effective Manager, I'll be soon uploading another article - 'Unofficial tools in a Manager's Chester')