Robert Pearl Starks

Managers are inherently in a position of power and authority but as explained in a previous blog (3 Realities of Being a New Manager), power isn't the same as influence.  Influence is earned, in large part, by how you collaborate with others and the forgotten skill that many managers don't strategically use is simple - listening.  There are many practical benefits for managers who choose to listen to their employees.  3 Benefits Managers who listen can realize include...

1. Build Rapport - Supervisors and managers who listen to their employees can build rapport, swiftly clear up misunderstandings, and… >>>

Watch Education activist Michelle Rhee on PBS. See more from Tavis Smiley.

3 Realities of Being a New Manager

As new managers transition to their new role, they face new challenges, responsibilities and opportunities.  There are four new realities that new managers must face to accelerate their transition and succeed:

Reality 1: The skills that lead to success as an individual contributor differ greatly from those needed to manage.  As a manager, the expertise that made you so good at what you did as an individual contributor will still be used to coach others but the role of manager requires you to work through others.

Reality 2: Power… >>>

The True Function of Managers

Agha Hasan Abedi said "The conventional definition of management is getting work done through people, but real management is developing people through work."  This is one of my favorite quotes about management because it highlights a common attitude about what management is while highlighting what it should be.  There are many managers who focus on processes and procedures vs. people.  Many of these managers want to focus on developing their people but somewhere down the line, they got bogged down with tasks so coaching their employees may seem like a daunting task.  Ironically, employee… >>>