Rules Of Management

RULE 59 - See the wood and the trees

“Some people cannot see the wood for the trees. I see the wood and the trees and the small village beyond and what’s more I have a flame-thrower.”

Simon Munnery, stand –up comic, creator of
League Against Tedium

You’ve got to see the big picture. It’s no good concentrating solely on what you do or what your department does. You can’t even keep your gaze limited to what your organization does, or even what your industry does. You’ve got to see the wider view all the time. The good manager – that’s you * - needs to have a good grasp of politics – both national and world – social history, world events, national intentions, international concerns, the environment, current legislation, proposed legislation ** and technological developments (ones that may or may not affect your industry).

But you’ve also got to keep a close watch on what is going on under your nose – your team, your department, your immediate surroundings the fine details as well as the big picture.

The bright manager has to keep their eyes and ears open, their wits about them, their mind open to new ideas and innovations and trends. You’ve got to see the trees and the woods.

“It’s no good concentrating solely on what you do or what your department does.”

* I keep saying, ‘That’s you’. You may wonder how I know. Because you are reading this. Bad managers think they know it all. You are prepared to read, to learn, to seek the advice of others, to widen your horizons, to have opinions, to stay abreast of current and new ideas and to keep an open mind by reading this far. That’s good. You are good. Well done you.

** No, not just legislation that affects your industry but all big proposed legislation. You’d be surprised how often the ‘knock-on’ effect affects you.

posted by Right Ranger @ 8:42 PM