The need for better decisions – why now?

Posted on May 14, 2013 by AnyaWorkSmart

My previous posts about the costs of our mistakes lead to a discussion about the awareness of our colleagues in regard to the importance of the subject. After all, it seems clear to anyone who has some actual experience with management that there always be mistakes and therefore – the risks associated with them. Even more than that, the actual situation of the market today doesn’t suggest any tangible improvement being made in this regard, so is the need for better decisions really understood by today’s Managers or is this just an illusion? Continue reading →

“Who said I cannot be Scientist and Artist at the same time?” – From Ask Anya mails

Posted on March 5, 2013 by AnyaWorkSmart

Following post “Craftsman, Scientist or Artist – who are you? Three approaches to Expertise”

“You presented a very interesting approach to Expertise in defining the Craftsman, the Scientist and the Artist types, however I cannot say I entirely agree with these strict constraints. I consider myself a highly qualified craftsman: with so many years of expertise in my domain I have clearly mastered all the critical tools and techniques. Does that mean I cannot be a Scientist discovering new approaches or an Artist who brings his soul into everything he does?” Continue reading →

Evolution of unsuccessful managers – From Ask Anya mails

Posted on January 17, 2013 by AnyaWorkSmart

Following the post This is Sparta?!! – Since when did it become a norm not to achieve any result?

Question:

“Why unsuccessful managers are not eliminated by an evolutionary process? The answer I suggest is: it is because starting from a certain level in the hierarchy manager can always Continue reading →

Craftsman, Scientist or Artist – who are you? Three approaches to Expertise

Posted on November 15, 2012 by AnyaWorkSmart

In my post on communication I mentioned that language has its limitations when trying to explain something – for the simple reason of possible gaps in the understanding of terminology by the involved parties. We’ve already encountered this problem when trying to distinguish between Skill, Competence and Expertise, as everyone seems to understand these concepts differently. However, there is an elegant solution for this problem: Continue reading →

Strengthen your Team as you strengthen your body Part 2: Principles of Exercise

Posted on September 17, 2012 by AnyaWorkSmart

Previously, we’ve talked about providing your team with nourishing energy. However, when not applied properly, energy can bring more harm than good, so it is imperative to understand the principles of its application.

Continue reading →

Strengthen your Team as you strengthen your body Part 1: Energy Sources

Posted on September 12, 2012 by AnyaWorkSmart

Let’s say you already have a perfect team, the work is progressing to your complete satisfaction and any contingency you encountered was successfully overcome. Does this mean you can relax and leave your team members to their own devices?

No, if you want things to remain as shiny as they are now. Continue reading →

A new team member is like a new organ in your body

Posted on September 9, 2012 by AnyaWorkSmart

Every manager knows that process of resourcing is a never-ending story. Constantly “fighting” for headcount, acquiring approvals, justifying the needs, not to mention recruiting, selection and interviewing are extremely time and effort consuming endeavors. But what if after all this the new team member is unable to find his or her place in the team, cannot “blend in” and deliver what’s expected? Did we somehow mess up the recruiting process? Or maybe it’s something else?Think about your team as a human body, and it all becomes clear. Continue reading →

Team members function together like organs of human body: Part 2 Team Functions

Posted on September 4, 2012 by AnyaWorkSmart

Every team member, in addition to straightforward job specific duties, has additional (and critical) responsibilities in the team, related to his or her personal predisposition. Successful manager has to know how to ensure that all these additional team functions are present by building a customized communication and incentives system for each team member (see more on that under Team Building tag). There are many different typologies for these functions, so feel free to use mine :-). Continue reading →

Team members function together like organs of human body: Part 1 Responsibility Structure

Posted on September 4, 2012 by AnyaWorkSmart

The human body functions based on a very simple principle – every organ has its own job to do, but in case something goes wrong, there is a possibility to divide the lost function between other organs. You break your legs – you can crawl with your hands, someone loses his sight – other senses step up to the task. Because we have such an intricate regulator as our nervous system, we are never completely down even when we are. It creates a clear Responsibility Structure of body organs. Continue reading →

A Perfect team is like a perfect body

Posted on September 4, 2012 by AnyaWorkSmart

There are different approaches to management, but all managers share one simple desire. We all want to succeed in what we do. To be successful, manager will require a strong team to rely on. But what is a Perfect team? I came with a simple concept that helps to define the parameters of such a team and to maximize these parameters. Continue reading →