Taking 5 with Nick McCormick
Posted on 12. Jan, 2010 by Phil Gerbyshak in Take 5 Management Experts
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One of the best things about having a management blog is connecting with other management experts. Today I am pleased to share with you Nick McCormick, author of Lead Well and Prosper: 15 Successful Strategies for Becoming a Good Manager. Nick and I met life a few weeks back when I was speaking to the HDI Delaware Valley chapter in Philadelphia.
Taking 5 with Nick McCormick
Phil: What is management to you?
Nick: Management is all about achieving goals with the resources in your charge. It’s that simple. Unfortunately, it’s not easy.
Phil: Why is management important?
Nick: Achieving goals typically requires numerous resources – a combination of people, plants, equipment, etc. The resources need to be aligned to the goal. They need to be taught their roles. They need to be cared for and maintained. That’s the job of a manager. If any of these things are ignored, reaching the goals is jeopardized.
Phil: What’s the one thing all managers must do to be most effective?
Nick: I don’t know that there is any single most important thing, but one very important thing I’ve already mentioned – to take care of the resources, especially the people. People will not perform at their best; They will not use their discretionary effort toward achieving the desired goals of the organization unless they are treated well.
Phil: What’s your best advice for new managers?
Nick: Keep learning and keep practicing what you learn. Use your knowledge to improve your team members, your team, and your organization. You will make some mistakes, but that’s OK. Also, please realize that management is not a part time job. If you are to be a successful manager, you can’t be an individual performer by day and a manager in your spare time. Further, if you don’t like dealing with people and you have no interest spending most of your time tending to them, then get out. It’s just not worth it – not to you, not to the organization, and not to those reporting to you.
Phil: Besides your blog and your book, what are 5 of your favorite resources
for new managers (books, blogs, podcasts or even magazines)?
Nick: I check out some blogs (like yours – the former Slacker Manager, now the Management Expert). I also really enjoy The Cranky Middle Manager’s podcasts. Our friend Wayne Turmel does a tremendous job. I’m a member of a couple social networks. I get out to Phil Dourado’s Leadership Hub a couple of times each month.
Most of my learning time is spent reading good old fashion books. I try to read at least one book on management and/or leadership each month. There are so many good books out there. I’ve reviewed about 70 books on my website.
2 good books for new managers are:
What Were They Thinking? Unconventional Wisdom about Management
Author: Jeffrey Pfeffer
The Three Signs of a Miserable Job
Author: Patrick Lencioni
To learn more from Nick McCormick, check out his book Lead Well and Prosper: 15 Successful Strategies for Becoming a Good Manager, or visit the Joe and Wanda blog based on the 2 characters in his book.
Phil,
Enjoyed our brief visit in Philly. Thanks for all of your sage advice over the years. Keep up the great work. The Geator lives!