Most companies think that “management” is simply a title given to someone in charge of a particular area of their business. In my opinion, that person’s title would more accurately be “Employee I Really Like In XYZ Department.” The title of manager should be more respected and reserved for someone who truly manages.
How do I know this and what makes me the expert? Seeing it done all wrong. I've had more managers in my day (as we say here in Missouri) “than you can shake a stick at” and very few, if any at all had the skill or mindset of a great manager.
In our initial quest to find employees here at Go By Truck, we found our top candidates were drawn to our mission to unite a great American industry and wanted to be a part of making real change happen. As a start-up, we needed specialists rather than generalists, in order to cross every “t” and dot every “i” before going live.
Taking my previous education into account, however, I knew without a doubt we could not launch without great managers (typically generalists) as the cornerstones of our operation.
With this in mind, prior to company launch, I pulled these early employees aside, telling each of them they were being given the opportunity to lead their respective areas of expertise and if they failed at the task, they would instead be led. They looked at me with bewilderment and shock. Each had assumed that because they had been hired at the point of the company’s inception, they would be granted high level management positions.
Having said this, there’s nothing wrong with needing to be managed. I have some of the world’s most dedicated, intelligent and skilled employees. Most simply aren't managers, and those who aren't, now know why and are truly happier for it.
So what’s the point? The point is that although everyone wants to be a manger, few are. Knowing who you are (generalist, specialist, social, non-social, organized or perfectly chaotic) will help save you time and prevent bad decision making on your professional path...
If you’re currently a manager or aspiring to management in the future, ensure that you truly understand the task you’re taking on. Be sure that you've got it in you to do the hard things at the hard times, to sometimes be the fall guy, and to be the hardest working guy or girl in the room. If you’re in the wrong position, you’ll never experience growth. You will only be average, at best. If you allow yourself to be placed in the right position, whether management or not, your growth will become exponential.
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