Management 101

Sometimes, certain things happen throughout the normal course of your life that, when viewed as a single event, seem to be not particularly important. However, after reflection that can only be gained after the fact, can you have the insight that each of the small nuggets of happenings we call life actually form a much bigger picture. The last few months have been a perfect example of this for me.

Recently, I have been experiencing the polar ends of every situation I have encountered. One moment, I am full of big picture thoughts of success and harmony only to be smacked with the crushing scepter of self doubt and discord. As anyone who has children can attest, it is absolutely possible to experience profound moments of each of these feelings in a shockingly short period of time.

Assuming your professional personality is merely an extension of your personal being and assuming you give a shit about your staff, it is quite normal to experience these same disparate feelings in the workplace.   Managing staff is hard.  Managing staff is dirty work.  The art of managing a crew to both produce the results you need AND have them not revolt on you requires a perfect balance of finesse, brute force and political tact that many strive to accomplish but few actually do.

The last few weeks have been a test in all things management both professionally and personally.  While we have experienced many successes, these wins have not come without a price.  High production, long hours, new personalities and a few personal problems all mix to create situations that, with hindsight, you wish you handled better. 

I have always worked under the mantra that you can learn as much from studying your challenges as you learn from mimicing successes.  When I was younger, my focus was almost exclusively on the final product.  Now, with age, I am equally interested in the process.  I believe this is how you build relationships for the long term.

Marginal management decisions are hard to come back from...opinions are made and feelings are hurt.  I learned a lot this last few weeks.  I genuinely enjoyed the spoils of winning but also experienced the displeasure a marginal decision can lead to.  There is more to the end result.  Sometimes the process IS the end result.

I know you cant win 'em all but I can sure try.