Manage by Walking Around: Monday Morning Management Tip
April 21, 2008 by Phil Gerbyshak
Filed under Business
Thanks for tuning in for another Monday Morning Management Tip. Quick tips to help you impact your team on a Monday morning.
This week’s tip is managing by walking around. Invest 15 minutes this 
Monday morning in your team to getting up, walking around and seeing how team is REALLY doing.
I’m not saying you should micro-manage your team’s tasks; I’m saying to take a genuine interest in your team.
Ask about your direct reports family, about projects they are working on, about what they’re eating for lunch, or whatever else might matter to them, on their turf. Get out from behind your desk and make them feel comfortable sharing in an environment they are comfortable in.
And that’s the key: It’s all about THEM!
Don’t worry about gathering a ton of critical information. Invest the 15 minutes to build a bond with a few folks each week. Then meet with a few more, and a few more, and eventually, you’ll get through your whole team and then you can start over and do it again.
If you’re willing to invest 15 minutes each Monday, with 1 or 2 people each week, you can have a significant impact on your employees morale and overall well-being…IF you’re willing to take a genuine interest in them and find out how they are really doing.
Photo credit to lumaxart
I have gas. =\
Thanks for that valuable tip. Relaxation is pretty important for good concentration.
Some simple and easy advice all managers no matter what level.. thanks for the tips!!
I’ve seen this work and also fall flat. One manager I used to work with could walk around the office once every week or so and he would spend a little time with each person, and he always remembered what he talked to you about last time. He had a twinkle in the eye and a manner that made you want to work hard so the next time we came past you would have something exciting to show.
A second manager I worked with who did this fluttered from desk to desk dispensing platitudes like “hey big fella hows your weekend”, “excellent, well oiled machine”. And then like the wilo wisp he was gone back into the sanctuary of his office for anther week. As you can imagine it demotivated staff.
Pays to remember you can’t fake sincerity.