My Work-Life Insights

If you've noticed I've changed the title of my blog. 'The Management Blog' didn't really seem suitable considering the contents I've been putting into this space. 'My Work-life Insights' is more like it as it's exactly what I do in here.

The story behind this blog

It all started some 7-8 months ago. I was working in an organization with a lot of potential in the field of research but it didn't have a proper management. They wanted me to contribute in establishing a 'system' but nobody really cared on acting upon it. I encountered unprofessional people along the way. I had so much to offer but I was upset in my inability to bring a change as nobody cared to include me in the so-called 'system-setting' process and nobody cared to change their acts and behavior in order to make the organization what they wanted it to be. Nevertheless, they kept praising my work and wanted me to stay. During this phase I felt a lot of negativity settling inside me. Thus, I decided to give it a creative turn. Instead of complaining about what's not right and letting my ideas vanish in thin air where no one gave a heed upon it I started writing it as a part of my blog.

The story now

I stopped working full-time in that organization back in December 2011. I continued helping them part-time for the next five months. Now I've been working in a different set of organizational setting. It's an organization I'd worked for previously and I will never hesitate admiring it for its set of systems. However, when I returned in the same place 2 years later I found everything changed. Life's more difficult, work's more difficult, people are most difficult to deal with. Once again, I'm using the same platform to channel my creative energies. 'My Work Life Insights', thus, is about work-life experiences and my reflection upon it. To be clear, it's nothing personal. It's all about the lessons I learn along the way.

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The best way!

He says his way is the only way. She says her way is the only way. They say their way is the only way. But, instead of focusing on 'my way' why not focus on 'the best way' of doing things? After all, there is a lot we can learn from every person. Why not discuss things out with an open mind? Why not focus on the issue at hand instead of personal ego? There is no right or a wrong way. We can always find a best way by combining all possible solutions. It's a good thing to believe in oneself and have a deep conviction in one's own ideas. However, sometimes the ideal solution can be reached only through learning, sharing and discussion. Relevant and applicable points can be picked from his way, her way and their way and a best way can be found.

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Being a manager...

They say, "MBA is for managers." And, thus, fresh graduates enroll into an MBA and expect to be managers as soon as they get a degree. At other times, we have people with years of experience assuming the role of a manager. But, being a manager isn't just about having a fancy degree and years of experience. It isn't also just about signing documents, authorizing actions and attending meetings. Being a manager extends far beyond all these external elements. Being a manager entails that you be fair, just and responsible. As a manager, you have to ensure that you treat all your subordinates equally. In the same way, if you have to stand up for the ones you're managing then you will have to do that. You've got to be just. You also cannot shift over all your responsibilities to your subordinates and let them take the final blame. You need to be able to have their back. As a manager, you also have to be concerned about the learning and development of the people you're managing. You're supposed to be a motivator. If someone is not doing a good job, then it is the manager's responsibility to find out the reasons and take necessary and positive actions. If someone is working well, then one has to ensure that person is acknowledged and rewarded. 

The job of a manager is not easy. You have to leave control but also have to take charge of so many things. You have to be firm yet flexible. You need to be proactive and patient. You have to be able to trust your own judgments. You've got to be a learner and also a guide. First time managers may fail in many respects but one must never stop trying. But, most of the times it is often the experienced ones who forget about all the necessary elements of being a manager and are only focused on power and prestige. Education and experience are both very important elements of a manager. But, along with it character and attitude plays the biggest role in determining whether the manager is a good one or bad.

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