| May the LORD give you prudence and
discernment when he brings you to rule over Israel,
so that you keep the law of the LORD, your God. Only
then shall you succeed, if you are careful to observe
the precepts and decrees which the LORD gave Moses for
Israel. Be brave and steadfast; do not fear or lose
heart. (1 Chronicles 22:12-13)
One of the primary lessons we must learn about management
is not to confuse leadership with supremacy. The Webster’s
Dictionary definition for manage is:
1. To handle or direct with a degree of skill
2. To exercise executive, administrative and supervisory
direction of
3. To succeed in accomplishing
Let us examine the definition. First, the word is a
verb, which means that it is something you do, not someone
you are. Too many people always think of it is a noun.
Yes, “manager” is a title and noun, but
“manage” brings out the action: directing
with a degree of skill. When you become a manager, it
does not mean that you cease to act or work. A manager
should demand more from him or herself than from anyone
they manage.
Manage means to exercise, not dictate, and supervise
direction, not command. Many managers develop a “because
I said so” mentality that often leads to mutiny
within the ranks. If people know why they are doing
something, the time frame in which it needs to be finished
and what the benefit of accomplishing it is, they will
work harder to achieve the goal or mission than if they
are doing something blindly just because they are ordered
to. You will find few references in the Bible to our
Lord ordering people or His disciples to do anything
just because He said to. He normally explained why and
for what reasons He asked anyone to perform a task.
Further, the definition goes on to read: to succeed
in accomplishing. A manager’s responsibility is
to accomplish certain tasks, and they have a team of
people to help them do so. Whenever possible, use your
team to help accomplish tasks, which also carry a benefit
for them. If they believe you are the only person benefiting
from their efforts, they will work at a slower pace,
and their quality of work will be of poorer than if
there were a reward for them in the accomplishment of
the task.
Use the benefits the team members will receive as the
reason for them to perform. Stress the benefits received
from the accomplishment of the task, and your team will
work harder for you because now they are working for
themselves.
By the way, not all the rewards or benefits have to
be financial. Taking your team out to dinner or buying
their lunch will go a long way toward helping them feel
like they are working with you to achieve a common goal,
instead of helping you to accomplish your personal missions.
In any professional sporting event, the manager or
coach never steps onto the field; they direct the team
with skill towards the achievement of a common goal,
which is winning. The team is only as good as the players
who must execute the strategies designed for them by
the coach or manager. The best game plan will only work
as well as the players who execute it.
You are only as good as the team you surround yourself
with. The execution of your plans will determine your
success as a manager. Always remember that the greatest
fear in any war is the creation of martyrs. When people
find someone they are willing to lay down their lives
for, they become an insurmountable foe. When your team
is willing to “lay down their lives for you,”
you have found a team that will achieve all their goals.
Inspire your team to action. |
