When Management is a Four-Letter Word

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Let’s talk about management.

It would be an understatement to say that the majority of people I work with want to know how to be better at management. They want to know …

  • How to manage a team
  • How to manage a project
  • How to manage expectations
  • How to manage a boss
  • How to manage peers

And while there are tons, and TONS, of articles out there on how to manage effectively, it really boils down to three things: knowing what you want, knowing how you want to show up, and knowing who you need in your corner.

There are also many studies that will tell you that good management is not a learned skill, but that doesn’t mean we can’t make small changes to improve our abilities to manage, especially when it helps our own career development.

Here are five articles with a fresh perspective on what it means to be an effective manager.

1. How women of color get to senior management.

This is a great article from Harvard Business Review that takes research results from a study of women of color at Fortune 500 companies and outlines what these women want for their careers and how they go about getting it.

2. Why your team isn’t getting results.

Anyone who’s led a project for the very first time can relate to any one of the scenarios outlined in this article. If you’ve ever wondered how to get a project that’s gone off the rails back on track, take some time to read this article. It is full of great advice for each potential scenario.

3. If you’re young and ambitious, give one of these books a try.

This is a fun collection of books that may not seem to relate to management concepts, but if you look more closely you’ll see that each book goes deeper into the confidence necessary to step into a bigger role. If you’re young and newly promoted, any one of the books on this list will give you the confidence boost you need.

4. How to break bad management habits. 

Companies are full of bad managers, and you may be one of the many people affected by bad management. In this TED talk, Elizabeth Lyle offers a new approach to breaking free from the bad management trap at large companies.

5. The seven signs of bad management. 

If you take the time to read this article from Business Insider, you’ll find you’ve experienced at least one of these seven signs of bad management. Understanding the why, however, is the first step in finding a way forward, and away, from a bad situation.

I know this is a big topic and I’d love to know what your experience is with management. Have you just been promoted and unsure what to do next? Have you been in a management position but you’re not sure where you want to go next? Have you contributed to helping change the management culture at your company? Drop me a line and let me know how it’s working for you.

 

Christina Holloway is an executive coach and business coach. She helps executives and entrepreneurs grow their companies faster, create results-driven teams, and increase profitability. She has been featured in ForbesThe Huffington PostAddicted2Success and Fast Company. If you’re interested in working with Christina, take a look at her strategy sessions and contact her to get started.

Christina Holloway