Most partners and managers believe they are good at
managing their people. If that’s the case, why is mismanagement and under-management
so prevalent? Actually, you probably aren’t as good as you think, and you could
be better.

To begin, you have three choices when you encounter a “managing
moment:”

• Don’t manage
• Manage the way you would want to be managed
• Manage the way they need to be managed

Choosing not to manage means you remain silent, let
things just roll and avoid any situation that could be contentious. You are
basically MIA and simply occupy a managerial place in the organization,
providing no value other than your own personal productivity. You don’t develop
your people. What’s really unfortunate is that your firm allows you do so, year
after year.

Managing the way you would want to be managed is fine IF
you are managing others who are like you. That’s highly unlikely because you
are probably managing others who are younger and less experienced than you are.
Your generational norms aren’t theirs. Your managing behavior is misunderstood,
so it is either resisted or ignored. Either way, you give the appearance of
managing, even though you aren’t effective. Again, it’s too bad your firm
allows you to get by with it.

When you manage people the way they need to be managed is
when you are really effective. For instance, if someone needs your assurance that
they are on the right track and you’re not available, they slow down because
they are unsure they’re doing it right. You need to find ways to checking in
and being there for them.

Or, if someone needs you to just tell them what you want
and leave them alone, you don’t help when you’re constantly checking up on
them. They dislike your micromanaging ways. Instead, agree on regular,
non-intrusive updates so you know where the project is and holds others accountable.

If you really want to manage well, you will learn to
adjust your management approach, style and behavior to the needs of those you’re
managing. This week, take one of your direct-reports and find one way to manage
better.