Managers change lives

At a dinner this week, I was sitting next to a long-time manager and executive. Not surprisingly, we started talking about managing.

He said, “Managing is holy.” It’s a surprising thing to say. While I wouldn’t say it quite that way, I completely agree.

Unfortunately, many people think of managers like this guy:

Or this guy:

I often hear “The world needs fewer managers and more leaders!” This seems to come from people who have suffered under uncaring, micromanaging bosses, whom they associate with the word “manager.”

I’ve had those awful managers, too. But I disagree. The world needs more good managers. They can have an enormously positive impact on people’s lives. And trying to be a “leader” can be an excuse to avoid the hard, nitty-gritty work managing requires.

Clayton Christensen, author and Harvard Business School professor, believes management is one of the most noble roles in the world. From How Will You Measure Your Life:

“If you want to help other people, be a manager. If done well, management is among the most noble of professions. You are in a position where you have eight or ten hours every day from every person who works for you. You have the opportunity to frame each person’s work so that, at the end of every day, your employees will go home…living a life filled with motivators.”

I’ll never forget the story from a Jhana colleague about how her father positively impacted lives as a sales manager, which she learned only after he had passed away.

Being a great manager isn’t about being an all-controlling boss. Many nonmanagers don’t realize this. Rather, managing is about being a coach, mentor, supporter, developer, and truth teller. It’s a big responsibility. You can change lives.

Need to develop great managers at your company? Learn about Jhana and request a demo at www.jhana.com.