Hoovers,
I need to elaborate on my comment to you re: 'what have you discovered you can live without in business, given the economy?' My Response: 'middle management. obvious'.
Simply put, I do not believe that middle management is the 'devil'. However, finding good managers is extremely difficult, add in the turbulent economy right now - what was bad middle management has now gone completely rancid.
A bit of history with my experience, I've only come across one good manager that I reported to directly over the years. The qualities that made him 'great' in my eyes were only but a few: supportive, good leadership, allowed me to make my mistakes and learn from them without the threat of being fired, provided guidance, did not ' manage' but lead his team and created an environment that celebrated new ideas and actually did something about it.
My experience right now with the role of middle management and actually has been occurring for the last 7 years, is a deterioration of their role. Serving to be nothing more than a hinderance and to be used and manipulated appropriately to ensure survival. Sad but true! I realize managers do have a tough leadership role, in that they do have to be the 'middle man' and enforce company policy and keep their team happy and motivated to do the best job they can. There is a fine line, I know. However, in times like these it is quite disturbing and sad to see managers either walking around in a state of numbness playing the 'yes man' role so well, in fear of their own jobs or worse, subscribing to the old tried and true method of micro management. UGH! In times like these my ideal manager would be one who, no matter how rough the outlook, takes absolute pride in their role as leader of a team, and inspires their team to be the best they can through leading by example.
To hear my manager respond to my question of 'what is the business plan moving forward?' response: 'I don't know, I'm just as much in the dark as you' ... this makes my skin crawl and makes my blood boil. It takes all of my will power not to raise my hand and slap him silly and say 'wake up man, do something, get out of the box and take ownership!'
But this comes from the top, I suppose, even upper management is walking around with their heads hung low. Every month we have a company 'pow-wow' session which as of late has been nothing more than a monthly 'pow - WOE' session. Every month I am hopeful that our ultimate leader would stand up in front of the group and inspire us, instead of bringing himself down to our level and in the supposed ditches with fear in his eyes giving a message of pessimism and uncertainty. I would expect someone in his position to be realistic, yes, but also to spark a 'fighting' spirit within all of us. Turn negatives into positives by giving different perspectives, remind every one that they are working for one of the best companies out there, and ask everyone to check themselves and ask some tough questions like 'do you believe in this company and all that it was built on, and all the values, product, the founder, etc. Do you believe in its survival?' If the individual response is No, then somehow they need to move on. I realize this last bit is a very touchy topic and not very easy to do. But at least a speech consisting of these elements would spur the individual to stop and think and ultimately assess their role in all of this and hopefully view from a different, more positive perspective.
Then this should be followed up with a statement like 'these are challenging times, yes, let's remain focused and remember what the ultimate goal is. Together we will make a difference, but we all must do our part and challenge ourselves to go above and beyond. Keep an open mind, and remain focused.!'
They say if you want change you should be the change. Well this is extremely relevant! And I do go about my business like this every day. I am grateful that I am a self motivator. I know what my values are and I have much passion for the company that has employed me for several years now. I only wish that others around me would feel the same, instead of living in a state of paranoia and wondering if today is going to be the day the axe falls...why oh why can't we get out of the box and into the future?!!!
In closing, I would expect my manager to be a true leader in times like these - not a 'yes man'. The ideal would be somewhat of a visionary. Someone who would find a way to cut out ridiculous 'red tape' and brick walls, that for no apparent reason stand in the way and prevent ideas, success, and progress from ever seeing the light of day. These walls put into place by their own hands delay progress way too long and serve no purpose!
This is my frustration with business today in this economy.
