A Classic How To
I almost titled this post "A Classic How To...NOT". But then I realized, the article I mention truly IS a classic 'How To'...because it doesn't tell us How To.
I read in the WSJ recently an article entitled, "How To Delegate to Others and Lower Your Stress Level." You can find it here:
http://www.careerjournal.com/myc/climbing/20060627-schaefer.html
It's a classic example of what passes for How To articles these days. There's a lot of discussion, and then some vague notions about being direct and stating a deadline. The acid test for me is, "would I learn enough to help me do this thing?" The answer is almost always NO.
This is what frustrates Mike and me about management development and training in general: even "how to's" are short on how. This is why we started Manager Tools.
If you run across an article that purports to be a "How To" when in fact it is not, please let us know, and we'll share it.
And, to try to accentuate the positive, if you run across one that really DOES HELP, why, let us know that as well. A breath of fresh air would be nice, no?
DJDUP- Thanks for the kind words!
DJDUP-
Thanks for the kind words! Glad we're helping you be more effective in your role.
And... don't ever confuse directness with a lack of "nice". I absolutely strive to be kind and compassionate - I think I have said "with love in my heart" - when I am direct. Direct is PROFESSIONAL. Indirect is inefficient, ineffective, and, in a way, insulting. So... keep it up, and always with kindness.
If you have a problem being nice to someone who wasn't nice to you, that's backwards thinking about kindness. The purpose of kindness is not to reward only those who are nice to us. It is to set a standard of behavior that is caring and considerate of others. When we struggle to be nice to those who are rude, we let THEM set the standard.
Do not stoop to his level. Be gracious, be generous, work hard for him when the engagement calls for it. If he continues his behavior towards you, others will notice and it will stand out all the more against your professional decency and gentlemanly behavior. If you skirmish with him, what will stand out is who is on the inside and who is on the outside.
He's poking you with an umbrella... you're getting mad all by yourself.
Let it go!
Mark
This is the most INFORMATIVE podcast I
This is the most INFORMATIVE podcast I have listened to. I am not in corporate management but it works for me as a coach and business consultant. I am new to the podcast and catching up on past podcasts - great stuff. Listening to the show where Mark talks about being direct - it describes me totally. And believe me - I am not loved/liked for it - most recent comment was "I have it twisted" by one of the directors in one of the businesses I am consulting for. At least the owner agrees with my strategy. I hve a problem with being "nice" to this person who not only insulted me but the owner for agreeing with my strategy and RETAINING my services!
Amen Dan, "how to" articles , tv shows,
Amen Dan, "how to" articles , tv shows, books, etc should read like a recipe: before you begin here are the supplies you need, do this first then do that, approximate preparation time is x. Most "how to's" are best read after you already know how to do it. The average "how to" writer would author a recipe like this:
1) Make sure the oven is hot enough.
2) It is helpful to get all of the ingredients out before you start.
3) Some ingredients will need to be mixed prior to the addition of others.
4) Proper cook time is essential.
5) Serves multiple people.
6) Enjoy.
Dan- "How to watch me do it for
Dan-
"How to watch me do it for you."
Now THAT is CLASSIC.
Mark
A pet peeve of mine. I love the "how
A pet peeve of mine. I love the "how to" home improvement shows that don't tell you enough to do it on your own. Should be labeled "How to watch me do it for you" and then there would be truth in advertising.