ryancu's picture Submitted by ryancu on
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Hi there,
 
Quick question: How much time do you spend with (and around) your directs outside 121s?
 
My position requires a lot of solitary work (reporting, planning, writing) alongside managing staff. I wonder whether I should be trying to spend more time in and around directs, giving feedback and leading work?
 
Directs also spend quite a bit of time “offsite” and presenting with customers. I’m wondering if I should try to spend more time being present in these situations. 
 
Currently I spend maybe 5 hours a week around directs (outside 121s), although this is not seeing their work with customers. Mainly when they are returning from meetings etc. 
 
This article piqued my interest: http://on.wsj.com/1GIfJtp
 
Any thoughts/guidance would be much appreciated.

leonbuker's picture
Submitted by leonbuker on Tuesday March 31st, 2015 10:19 am

I think you know that the answer to your question is going to be different for different people, situations, etc etc. Too many managers these days are hands off, and most directs (adjusting for their style) can't get enough feedback. So, yes, spend more time with your directs.

How can you evaluate their work if you aren't part of it in some way? Just looking at the reporting side isn't going to be enough. Definitely go to a customer with them to see how it all unfolds. I'd approach that in a suportive manner at first, allowing them to select which customers you can go to, but later you might want to direct that and be more random. You might want to find other ways to get in touch with the customer to see how things are going.

I believe in the servant leader style, mostly because it suits my personality more. But that means I need to be finding out how to make life easier for my directs, and sometimes they don't the answer to that themselves. It requires someone with more experience to sit in the weeds with them for a while.

Hope that helps. Not a very precise answer. But might get the brain juices flowing.

 

Leon

ryancu's picture
Submitted by ryancu on Wednesday April 1st, 2015 5:24 am

Hi Leon,

 

Thanks a lot for taking the time to post a reply to my question. Your comments are thoughtful and show a lot of experience. I appreciate that. From here, I’ll look at at how I can cycle through each direct, starting with my top performers.