We're examining the profile of a 'complete' manager - one who daily achieves Predictable Success for herself, her team, and the organization she works for.
In this article, we'll look at the most fundamental of the 14 characteristics of 'The Complete Manager' - Time Management. (If you missed the introductory article in the series, you can read it here).
To help you follow along with the series, you can Click here to download the Complete Manager Brain Map (a pdf version of the graphic at top right), and track the progress of the series (and jump to other articles) using this progress bar:
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Setting aside the technical skills required to fulfill the manager's core function (sales, legal, IT, accounting, etc.), when I sit 'round conference room tables with managers, the most frequent concern I have, is not whether they're clever enough, determined enough, committed enough, or even capable of implementing Predictable Success®, but rather:
- Do you have the personal time management skills to both schedule and follow through the implementation points necessary to achieve Predictable Success®?
Time: the One Resource You Can't Make More Of
Every manager faces their own individual challenges in achieving Predictable Success® - whether it's -
Conducting one-on-one's,
Having regular team check-ins,
Taking time to work cross-functionally,
Building behaviorally-based panel interviews for hiring,
Being accountable through communication...
...or any one of a hundred other challenges. All on top of actually running your team, function or department.
This all takes time - and that's the one resource none of us can manufacture more of.
Mastering Your Use of Time Is THE Foundation of Predictably Successful Management
The predictably successful manager realizes that personal mastery of time management is not an option - it is THE essential pre-condition to success as a manager.
When I'm coaching managers, it's often difficult for them to grasp this concept - that you can be good - or excellent, even superlative - at everything you do as a manager, but if you're not totally on top of your personal time management, eventually your performance will slide, and will eventually collapse.
It's important to grasp this point: It doesn't matter how good you are at making decisions, communicating, taking risks, schmoozing customers, motivating employees, influencing others, or any other management skill -
If you cannot master your time, managerially, you're dead.
Some day it will catch up with you. If not today, tomorrow. And if not tomorrow, the day after.
Pre-Register Today!
How To Become a Complete Manager
Pre-register for our upcoming Complete Manager Program - a distance learning program based on all 14 'Complete Manager' characteristics, launching later this year.
There's no obligation whatsoever in pre-registering, and the Program is open to members and non-members alike (although members will receive a discount on the Program registration fee (which we haven't set yet). Just complete this simple form and hit 'Submit':
Pre-Registration Inquiry: The Predictable Success® Complete Manager Program
Yes - please send me more information on The Predictable Success® Complete Manager Program. I understand I am under no obligation by requesting this information, and that you will not add my details to any other list, or contact me about any other product or service, unless I request it.
Next: Priority Management
In the next article, we'll look at the second skill in the Complete Manager's 'Productivity' category: Priority Management.
