10 "not-so-secret" steps for business success (Step #10)

Step #10 - Manage or be managed . . .

The last of the steps is also the one I consider most important: the reminder that in business, as in life, we can either manage or be managed, the choice is up to us. The irony is, no matter our position or standing, if we fail to proactively manage the situation or fail to make decisions, our destiny will be left to that of being managed by someone or something else.

This certainly isn’t to say that one shouldn’t be a team player and work cooperatively with others, because we should. But it does means that we need to realize that power and influence are continually in play in any situation where human interaction is involved. It’s also a reminder that it can be human nature to avoid uncomfortable and confrontational situations, even when it might be in one’s best long-term interest not to do so. Therefore, if we want our life plan to play out the way we want it, we may have take the initiative to make things happen.

In addition, we don’t always have to do everything ourselves, or do it “our way”. Life is about collaboration, and the pure definition of managing is “getting things done through other people.” Skillfully using delegation, empowerment, and authority, all under the all-inclusive confines of accountability for the “big picture” and the stakeholders’ best interest, is what it is all about.

Sometimes this means making the tough decisions and being direct. I’m reminded of today’s premier sports franchises and their coaches. Do you think that Jim Harbaugh, Nick Saban, or Steve Kerr would hesitate to make the necessary team changes if the season or key game were in jeopardy? Probably not, they clearly see it as their job and responsibility to generate results (i.e., translated as "winning") and they are fully committed to that mission. Yet in the business/political world we constantly see managers and organizations defer taking "tough" action to affect needed changes; consequently, they end up tolerating and accepting ongoing mediocrity and ineptness in their operations.

The lesson that we can take from these examples is that if we are committed to creating a desired outcome, then we must become an active participant in making it happen. There was a legendary radio personality in the Bay Area that used to close each day’s report with the phrase, “if you don’t the news, go out and make some of your own.” If we reasonably use that approach for positive purposes, then we’ll most likely find that we're managing the situation better, while avoiding having it manage us.

***

Well, this wraps up the 10 “not-so-secret” steps for business success series. Hopefully you picked up a tidbit here or there, and you've enjoyed some of the embedded humor along the way. Having lived through each of these steps many times in my career (often through the “school of hard knocks”), these steps have become part of my arsenal when I approach a business challenge. Sometimes it’s a matter of focusing on the fundamentals.

If you missed any of the previous articles (steps #1 - 9), please let me know and I can get them out to you. And stay tuned, because in coming posts we’ll be addressing many more business, finance, and management topics. As always, if you like the articles, or even if you feel I missed the mark, your feedback is always welcome.

#Stepsforbusinesssuccess