Published Article 2002

How to Walk the L.I.N.E of Effective Management
Sheri A. Callahan, Horizon Consulting Group, LLC 803-606-3650
Keynote Addresses * Training * Performance Consulting
www.onthehorizon.net

Management is no effortless task. As managers, we dedicate ourselves to managing all of the responsibilities that we are handed down. There are a host of reports, budgets, conference calls, policies, procedures, analysis, hiring, firing, documentation and the list goes on and on and on. How is this humanly possible? Have managers been forced to accept that in todays economy corporate America requires that we all work two jobs for the price of one? I would venture to guess that it has been accepted as a new challenge for those managers that want to retain employment.

These circumstances then beg the question, Who is managing the people? Where do we find the instant and what can we do to be the most workable managers? The answer must first be qualified by saying; we cant simply hope that our staff can manage themselves or each other. After all, as managers our first priority must always be to manage our all the people. Yes, we do lead first. We do mentor, guide, direct and coach, but ultimately as managers it is our responsibility to manage the many people that in turn manage their tasks and priorities. In taking that role we also ultimately agree to play a number of other roles. I offer to you that there is a targeted L.I.N.E. that managers can stroll to get the most out of their staff.

There are truly four job titles that we must take on to meet the needs of any department. This applies to not only the everybody we manage, but in our personal lives as well. Think back to most efficient manager you have worked for in your career. Was he/she able to mentor the staff, be inquisitive, listen to needs and concerns, and always seek fair and/or creative solutions? If the answer is yes, then your boss understood the value of walking the L.I.N.E. How about you?

L is for Leadership. This type of leadership that might inspire, guide and motivate us to
reach our goals. Leadership is a finely tuned, confident and thoughtful process.
Leadership is not telling others, but rather motivating by example while explaining the values and benefits of success.

I. is for Investigator. The role of the investigator encourages our sense of fairness as we
Make ourselves responsible for finding the truth of a matter. Investigating an
incident, a discrepancy, a complaint or a dispute belongs to the manager and
should never be delegated to a staff member.

N. is for Nurse. The traditional characteristics of a nurse are that of understanding,
compassionate, dedicated listener and healer. While a manager will not delve into
nursing personal, non-work related issues, he/she will seek to be empathetic and
remedy oriented. The nurse always considers the needs of the human spirit.

E. is for Engineer. What an exciting challenge the engineer holds in stepping outside of
the box. There is tremendous opportunity for the manager that defines success as
reaching objectives without mandating identical paths to get there.