The Profile of Slacker Managers: Version 2.0

Phil and I have been working on an updated Slacker Manager profile. We created two images to represent Slacker Managers.

We thank John Junson for his playful and inspiring art on this project.

We used a donkey to represent some of our fun and playfulness important in successful management. If we take ourselves too seriously as managers, we will never get through our career. We believe Slacker Managers know that leaders who last, laugh.

We also used the donkey image to suggest how stubborn we are in pursuit of the characteristics below. The large ears on our donkeys represent our willingness to listen and to learn from everyone.

Here is a short profile on Donkeys from wikipedia:

Donkeys have developed very loud voices, which can be heard for over three kilometers, to keep in contact with other donkeys of their herd over the wide spaces of the desert. Donkeys have larger ears than horses to hear the distant calls of fellow donkeys, and to help cool the donkey’s blood. Donkeys’ tough digestive system can break down inedible vegetation and extract moisture from food more efficiently. Donkeys can defend themselves with a powerful kick of their hind legs.

Making the analogy to Slacker Managers, Phil and I want:

• the voices of Slacker Managers heard around the world,
• to stay in constant contact with you,
• to hear your call on management,
• to stay cool as we confront challenges that can get manager’s blood boiling,
• to help you digest and extract key ideas in management and self-management,
• you to get a kick out of managing and get a kick out of this site.

The Profile of Slacker Manager

Slacker managers: 

1.  infuse work with passion and purpose
2. focus on smarter not harder work
3. ensure that work is effective and efficient
4. leverage learning for results

5. commit to both personal and professional development

6. draw out the strengths of others and themselves
7. transform “me thinking” to “we thinking”  
8. weave results and relationships into good management
9. delegate for results and development
10. engage in lifelong learning in diverse and multiple ways
11. value giving and serving ahead of taking and being served
12. willingly admit when they don’t know something
13. use all available resources
14. laugh as leaders – taking work seriously and themselves lightly

 Watch for more developments based on this profile including:

• Ask the Slacker: We’ll answer your questions and offer coaching perspectives from the Geek and the Geezer
• The Order of the Golden Slacker: We’ll recognize others for their outstanding contributions to management and leadership
• Slacker Book Reviews: We’ll read and review books so that you can learn with us, and find the books you need to buy for your management and leadership library
• Slacker Expert Interviews – We’ll find other experts to learn from who will enhance all of our personal and professional development.

 David Zinger & Phil Gerbyshak