Comments on: So You Want To Be In Management http://www.thewisdomjournal.com/Blog/so-you-want-to-be-in-management/ Wise Choices. Improved Finances. A Better Life. Sun, 07 Sep 2008 14:01:45 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6 By: How to prepare for an interview | The Wisdom Journal http://www.thewisdomjournal.com/Blog/so-you-want-to-be-in-management/#comment-2134 How to prepare for an interview | The Wisdom Journal Wed, 04 Jun 2008 17:20:37 +0000 http://www.thewisdomjournal.com/Blog/?p=139#comment-2134 [...] you have done your research and are able to answer this question with authority and show a deeper understanding of the company’s goals, marketing strategies, and history, you could hit the ball out of the park. Your best research [...] [...] you have done your research and are able to answer this question with authority and show a deeper understanding of the company’s goals, marketing strategies, and history, you could hit the ball out of the park. Your best research [...]

]]> By: Festive Link Love Carnivality #6 | Free From Broke http://www.thewisdomjournal.com/Blog/so-you-want-to-be-in-management/#comment-1660 Festive Link Love Carnivality #6 | Free From Broke Mon, 28 Apr 2008 00:06:33 +0000 http://www.thewisdomjournal.com/Blog/?p=139#comment-1660 [...] So You Want To Be In Management by Wisdom Journal. Being in management is great if you’re willing to handle all of the headaches it brings too (I am and I do). [...] [...] So You Want To Be In Management by Wisdom Journal. Being in management is great if you’re willing to handle all of the headaches it brings too (I am and I do). [...]

]]> By: Ron http://www.thewisdomjournal.com/Blog/so-you-want-to-be-in-management/#comment-1646 Ron Sat, 26 Apr 2008 22:49:11 +0000 http://www.thewisdomjournal.com/Blog/?p=139#comment-1646 Thanks Bziomek, Wow! You sound like the voice of experience! How many times have I had to implement stupid decisions, knowing they were stupid, yet being forced because "it's my job." I've even used statistical data to back up my position, but when a CEO gets something in his head (and he's the CEO of a "macho" style organization), you just have to make sure you "don't confuse him with the facts." Thanks Bziomek,
Wow! You sound like the voice of experience!
How many times have I had to implement stupid decisions, knowing they were stupid, yet being forced because “it’s my job.” I’ve even used statistical data to back up my position, but when a CEO gets something in his head (and he’s the CEO of a “macho” style organization), you just have to make sure you “don’t confuse him with the facts.”

]]> By: Bziomek http://www.thewisdomjournal.com/Blog/so-you-want-to-be-in-management/#comment-1644 Bziomek Sat, 26 Apr 2008 19:46:07 +0000 http://www.thewisdomjournal.com/Blog/?p=139#comment-1644 You forgot something like "don't blame me for things done by higher-ups, remember I have a boss too." In my experience being disliked by employees for decisions that were out of your hands seems is [one of] the bane of middle management. You forgot something like “don’t blame me for things done by higher-ups, remember I have a boss too.” In my experience being disliked by employees for decisions that were out of your hands seems is [one of] the bane of middle management.

]]> By: JLP’s Roundup (April 26, 2008) | AllFinancialMatters http://www.thewisdomjournal.com/Blog/so-you-want-to-be-in-management/#comment-1643 JLP’s Roundup (April 26, 2008) | AllFinancialMatters Sat, 26 Apr 2008 16:09:25 +0000 http://www.thewisdomjournal.com/Blog/?p=139#comment-1643 [...] Last but not least, Ron has some thoughts for those of you who desire to go into management. [...] [...] Last but not least, Ron has some thoughts for those of you who desire to go into management. [...]

]]> By: Mark - Productivity501 http://www.thewisdomjournal.com/Blog/so-you-want-to-be-in-management/#comment-1639 Mark - Productivity501 Sat, 26 Apr 2008 02:02:31 +0000 http://www.thewisdomjournal.com/Blog/?p=139#comment-1639 The idea of your career being dependent on someone else's performance is an interesting perspective. Of course that is exactly what managers are paid for -- getting work done through other people. I'm enjoying working with no subordinates in my own company. It is low stress and I spend a lot less time worrying what someone else might do or not do. However, my management experience was a very valuable training experience. The idea of your career being dependent on someone else’s performance is an interesting perspective. Of course that is exactly what managers are paid for — getting work done through other people.

I’m enjoying working with no subordinates in my own company. It is low stress and I spend a lot less time worrying what someone else might do or not do. However, my management experience was a very valuable training experience.

]]> By: Ron http://www.thewisdomjournal.com/Blog/so-you-want-to-be-in-management/#comment-1635 Ron Fri, 25 Apr 2008 15:48:41 +0000 http://www.thewisdomjournal.com/Blog/?p=139#comment-1635 Thanks Frugal Dad, I think if I had it to do over again, I'd prefer to have zero subordinates. Right now I have 120 spread over 6 states. Trying to keep a handle with what's going on is my personal definition of STRESS. Thanks Frugal Dad,
I think if I had it to do over again, I’d prefer to have zero subordinates. Right now I have 120 spread over 6 states. Trying to keep a handle with what’s going on is my personal definition of STRESS.

]]> By: Ron http://www.thewisdomjournal.com/Blog/so-you-want-to-be-in-management/#comment-1634 Ron Fri, 25 Apr 2008 15:47:14 +0000 http://www.thewisdomjournal.com/Blog/?p=139#comment-1634 Thanks FFB, All great points. I just got chewed out because of something that a team member didn't get done. It isn't fun having your whole career be dependent on someone else's performance. Thanks FFB,
All great points. I just got chewed out because of something that a team member didn’t get done. It isn’t fun having your whole career be dependent on someone else’s performance.

]]> By: FFB http://www.thewisdomjournal.com/Blog/so-you-want-to-be-in-management/#comment-1632 FFB Fri, 25 Apr 2008 15:32:39 +0000 http://www.thewisdomjournal.com/Blog/?p=139#comment-1632 Being in management can be a headache, especially when you are new at it. My first group was full of people who would rather not have me there in charge of them. Of course their performance was really my performance for my higher ups. Very stressful. Any team needs to work together. I like that you mention fessing up to mistakes quickly. I can handle when someone screws up. If I know about it quickly I can be pro-active about it and get it corrected (or make it not look as bad). If I find out later and only get half stories then it's worse because a) I'm now behind the 8-ball in getting it corrected and b) my trust in you has been lowered. We all make stupid mistakes now and then and if you're up front with me and you do good work I'll go to bat for you. Being in management can be a headache, especially when you are new at it. My first group was full of people who would rather not have me there in charge of them. Of course their performance was really my performance for my higher ups. Very stressful.

Any team needs to work together. I like that you mention fessing up to mistakes quickly. I can handle when someone screws up. If I know about it quickly I can be pro-active about it and get it corrected (or make it not look as bad). If I find out later and only get half stories then it’s worse because a) I’m now behind the 8-ball in getting it corrected and b) my trust in you has been lowered. We all make stupid mistakes now and then and if you’re up front with me and you do good work I’ll go to bat for you.

]]> By: Frugal Dad http://www.thewisdomjournal.com/Blog/so-you-want-to-be-in-management/#comment-1630 Frugal Dad Fri, 25 Apr 2008 13:05:04 +0000 http://www.thewisdomjournal.com/Blog/?p=139#comment-1630 When I was much younger, and just starting out my career I desperately wanted to be a manager. The idea of leading people appealed to me, and I thought I knew more than others on how to motivate, etc. A few early experiences soured me, though. Now I am content working with no subordinates for more money, and much less heartburn! That's not to say I wouldn't consider an opportunity to lead people, but it is an exhausting proposition to lead people who have zero intrinsic motivation themselves. When I was much younger, and just starting out my career I desperately wanted to be a manager. The idea of leading people appealed to me, and I thought I knew more than others on how to motivate, etc. A few early experiences soured me, though. Now I am content working with no subordinates for more money, and much less heartburn! That’s not to say I wouldn’t consider an opportunity to lead people, but it is an exhausting proposition to lead people who have zero intrinsic motivation themselves.

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