Conventional management thinking says, "Delegate, delegate, delegate!"
This implies that managers can fall into a dangerous trap if they continue to perform tasks they love from a previous role. And it says that to not let go is to give into a controlling tendency that robs staff of development opportunities. But not everyone agrees.
Today's increasingly knowledge-driven, cost-competitive work world is changing the way management gets done. More and more, people in management roles are becoming can-do leaders who must continue to practice their specialty while managing and developing the skills of others.
Effective managers understand that focusing on delegating tasks, rather than doing these tasks, is necessary if they are going to get things done and develop their staff along the way. That said, there are times when getting things done properly and developing your staff can be better achieved by doing some tasks yourself rather than delegating all of them.
Occasionally, doing tasks you are still good at highlights your personal commitment to achieving a high performance standard. It also gives you the opportunity to demonstrate strategies and techniques that are useful for excelling at these tasks.
In ‘Becoming a Can-Do Leader’, executive coaches Frank Satterthwaite and Jamie Millard say it's time that management thinking catches up with reality. Their extensive experience training and coaching player-managers at all levels has shown that successful managers both delegate and do.
Whether you're trying to survive your first promotion or coaching executives who yearn to keep up with their field, essential guidelines for can-do leadership are inside this book. You'll find workplace examples that ring true, as well as unique strategies and tools that both help you identify your values and provide insight into your natural leadership style.
Remember, don't let your knowledge and skills decline by stepping completely out of the professional picture. It's time to get productively and selectively involved in the work, enabling you to manage more effectively and keep up with important advances in your field all while developing and leading your team to success.
Discover how to work strategically with staff while continuing to grow expertise in your profession. That's can-do leadership.
Reference: Frank Satterthwaite and Jamie Millard: “Becoming a Can-Do Leader: A Guide for the Busy Manager”
