Management by walking around
THERE IS one concept called MBWA, which I thought I can share with your readers. This simply means management by walking around. I remember in one of the leading organisations the Chairman used to have the practice of walking around the office and going from desk to desk every quarter to meet the people. This move used to rejuvenate the people all around. The Chairman used to even speak to the car driver and office boy of that office. Over a few years he used to call people by their first name. What a motivation indeed!
I feel if one wants to manage an organisation he cannot do it sitting behind the desk. One can coach, train, inspect, communicate, lead and direct only when he is in direct presence of his employees.
Today more and more managers are hiding behind paperwork, meetings with all and sundry, busy schedules and a variety of avoidance techniques. If one is stuck in meetings and conferences I bet a crack in the communication will form. One will suddenly realise that the best employee has left, your best vendor is no more doing well, and you are losing to the competition. Being visible allows you to do the following:
* Catch people doing things right and recognise them.
* Catch people on the wrong foot and take corrective action needed.
* Keep in touch with the reality of department and organisation.
* First time employees may not respond, but over a period, questions, concerns or the needs of your employees can be sorted out. Listening itself will do the trick.
* It gives a feeling of togetherness and a message you care.
* Fix rumour before it breaks.
* Break things that need to be broken.
* Having lunch once in a while with employees in the lunch room enhances the esprit de corps (team work).
In many organisations, I am afraid, the gap between the top brass and other employees is getting wider not only in pay packets but also in knowing each other. There are organisations where employees are so scared to even make suggestions for improvement. It was Dale Carnegie who coined this phrase "hearty in approbation and lavish in praise." But I am afraid these quotes are nice to read but difficult to practise.
S. NARAYANAN
Printer friendly
page
Send this article to Friends by
E-Mail
Open Page
