It’s easy for you to manage a job when you have
high-performers. They know what to do and do it with minimal oversight. They
let you know when they’re done and their work requires minimal corrections. All
you have to do is set the timelines and then forget about it.

News Flash: that’s not managing. That’s coasting. You don’t
have to manage in that situation. Just babysit.

The best managers rise to the top when they get results
with average performers. This is the real test of manager capability. Only those
partners and managers who know how to REALLY manage forego whining and pouting when
they don’t get the best staff. They rise up and MANAGE.

One of my clients was in a meeting with other managers to
assign staff to projects. He willingly selected average performers. It was
quite a surprise to the others, but what the heck? If he took them, they wouldn’t
be saddled with them. So they agreed to his selections and resumed fighting amongst
themselves for the “A” staff.

So why did my client accept the ones he did? Because he’s
a good manager who can get results without having “A” players.

He knows how to plan his engagements.

• He knows how to focus his team from the beginning
  on specific results.
• He knows how to communicate clearly his
  expectations and his people know the priorities.
• He knows how to set time budgets and timelines.
• He knows it’s his responsibility to monitor
  progress consistently.

In the end, he gets a positive outcome because he knows
how to manage. And here’s the kicker: his people enjoy working with him and consistently
achieve their goals.

This week, grow up and quit blaming your bad results on
the poor hand you were dealt. Instead, look in the mirror.