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Hello everyone;

I just wanted to share my management New Year's resolutions. After reading and listening to Manager-Tools for the last year I have found many items that I can improve for which I am going to make a vested effort. Although I have already started trying to learn these more, I thought that I would share them with you.

1) Schedule more one-on-ones formally: As a rule I tend to have informal one-on-ones. After seeing the improvement in my team I will try to do these more regularly.

2) Take control of my Day Planner: Make more use of my action lists (Getting It Done) and spend more time on Sundays to schedule items during the week.

3) Schedule more network lunches: I need to get out more, and network lunches are a great way to do it. My wife (the highest-I that I have ever seen) is an expert at this so I will need to take a page from her book.

4) Time Management: use Drucker's Analysis more to find more ways to address strategic objectives.

5) Provide more team training: I have been providing "pizza lunch" training for my team, and I will make an effort to do this more as it increases both morale and my team knowledge base.

I will probably find more between now and then (I have a lot of room for improvement) but I think that this is a good start.

Does anyone out there have a special list of things that they can improve on?

Greenest's picture

I have resolved on the first 2 too.

Bit of a set back - first question was "Do you want to see us separately, or together?" The first couple of 1-2-1 s could be hard going!!

AManagerTool's picture

1. Move feedback to the next level and start tailoring it to the person I am talking to...LOL
2. Improve my network
3. Build a relationship with a recruiter

ktnbs's picture

1. To repeat the mantra, "I cannot change the boss", to myself every hour, every day.
2. To channel energy into a more effective resume.
3. To remain silent when the primal sytemic urge to make a cynical comment about the management here arises.

WillDuke's picture
Training Badge

I'm not a big believer in New Year's resolutions. I find that attaching goals to a "New Year's Resolution" makes it easier to not follow through.

I have, however, already started spending more time with my family. At least 1 day a week, sometimes 2, my daughter comes into the office and I personally provide day-care. (Ain't it great being the owner!)

I am also planning a 2-month vacation with the family. Yup, 2 months! It'll be easy if I can work out a little home exchange. If not, it's still doable.

James Gutherson's picture

[quote="WillDuke"]I am also planning a 2-month vacation with the family. Yup, 2 months! It'll be easy if I can work out a little home exchange. If not, it's still doable.[/quote]

Will, are you looking to holiday in a brand new house on a small farm in country NSW Australia around Dec-Jan next year? I just need to make sure I'm in Sydney in Nov08 for this Manager Tools Conference :D

AManagerTool's picture

[quote]little home exchange[/quote]

Craigslist has them all over the world but watch out for the nut jobs. :wink:

WillDuke's picture
Training Badge

Haven't picked a location yet, though we're leaning towards New Orleans. We have a 2-year old daughter and are thinking we should avoid long flights for now. In the future, however, I'd love to visit Australia! Our home is basically in Sun Valley, Idaho. A terrific ski resort. So we think we should be able to exchange fairly easily. It's the 2 months that might add complexity. Maybe we'll move around. :)

James Gutherson's picture

[quote="WillDuke"] Our home is basically in Sun Valley, Idaho. A terrific ski resort. So we think we should be able to exchange fairly easily. It's the 2 months that might add complexity. Maybe we'll move around. :)[/quote]

I knew all about Sun Valley, hence the timing of my offer :wink: We are just starting to build our dream house in Janaury and will hope to finish by Oct/Nov - I don't think I'd be able to dynamite my wife out of there on our first Christmas - and my 2 and 4 year old wouldn't handle the 14 hr flight to the US either.

suedavis's picture
Training Badge

1. Get to the "breathing" point in giving feedback.
2. Be better about keeping up with my network.
3. Upgrade CSM certification to CSM-P. (Stretch objective: and pass the PMP exam, too.)
4. Get my team's process functioning well, and get the rest of the department to be better about testing.
5. Go to the MT conference in Chicago in March. (Stretch objective: and get my boss to come, too.)
6. Stretch: Submit a technical paper to a conference.

tcomeau's picture
Training Badge

1440 by 900, just like this year. :) (15" MacBook Pro)

But seriously, I don't make New Years Resolutions. What I have done the past few years is work through The Flower Exercise in "What Color Is Your Parachute" each year during the quiet period between Solstice and New Years.

I originally did it shortly after a December Reorganization that left me in a job I really didn't want. I thought "Parachute" was about how to find a new job, but it's really about understanding what you want from your work life. Despite the .... challenges of the Institute, I either belong here (or someplace just like it) or I need to start my own climate adaptation/remediation company. So far, the benefits are keeping me here.

Going through The Flower exercise forces you to focus on what results you want for yourself, and then decide if you want to get better at the work you are doing, or find better work.

tc>

juliahhavener's picture
Licensee Badge

Great post, Tom. I'll have to check out the book, just because of that.

I'm not much for resolutions. I generally don't get anything out of them. I do have a number of goals - many of which revolve around improving my O3s, feedback, and relationships, and learning to excel in a new environment.

2008 will bring plenty of challenges - I don't think I need to create any new ones!