Controlling is one of the more misunderstood terms in our organizational language. When we use the word control in everyday conversation, we often mean something entirely different from what we mean when we talk about the controlling function of management. If I tell you that somebody is a “control freak,” you probably have a pretty good picture in your mind… Read more →
Rather than bore you with yet one more article on “Leadership” the reader is reminded that I have written 10 books on the subject (Steve’s Bookstore) and numerous articles on the topic. If your supervisor is not “leading” it is important for everyone to understand what “leadership” is, and what it isn’t. Here is an article I hope you’ll find… Read more →
Well, there are probably some reasons for that. Your boss may be addicted to doing whatever is next, constantly chasing the latest problem, the latest email, the latest request, or the latest interruption. There is a certain instantaneous gratification that comes from putting out a fire. You can see the problem, do something about it, and for a brief moment,… Read more →
If your supervisor doesn’t have a plan, there may be a lot of reasons why. Perhaps they don’t know how to plan. Perhaps they are addicted to short-term problem solving and putting out fires, which is a self-inflicted wound for any supervisor. Perhaps they think planning is too complicated or requires more time than they have. Or perhaps they are… Read more →
I have never been particularly comfortable with the way we use the word “management.” We talk about management as though it is a group of people sitting somewhere above everyone else in the organization. We talk about “management” making decisions, “management” causing problems, “management” needing training, and “management” failing to communicate. I think we have confused the word. In my… Read more →