Why Would Someone Want To Work For You?

By George Anderson

Mary Herrmann, an executive coach in Chicago, says all managers need to ask themselves one question: “Why would people want to work for me?”

Today’s workplace places different demands on managers than ever before and professionals in the field such as Ms. Herrman believe management style is critical to the success of any organization.

In an interview with Crain’s Chicago Business, Ms. Herrman said, “Understanding your own style and that of the people who work for you is critical to being a successful manager. We all seem to think that people should work just like we do, and what you find through coaching is a respect for other people and for their styles.”

“Today’s style of management is more team-oriented, so everyone at the table has a piece of the answer,” she said. To be successful in this environment, managers need to move beyond the traditional top-down style of managing to a more collaborative approach.

Ultimately, managing is about getting things done, said Ms. Herrman. To that end she offers this advice, “If you know what you want to do, do it. A lot of people know what they have to do. . . but they never get to it because they’re too busy thinking about it.”

Moderator’s Comment: What does it take to be a good manager? Are retailers providing managers at the store and headquarters level with the training/coaching
they need to excel at their jobs?

With turnover rates as high as they are in retailing, more managers need to find reasons for their employees to come to work other than the low wages they
receive and the horrible hours they have to work.

George Anderson – Moderator

BrainTrust

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