Managing by Walking Around

Guidelines

Meeting are not only the pre-planned formal meetings. Every time you talk with your college —as a group or one-on-one—you are having a meeting. Communication skills are just as important here.

This is an outline of items to remember so that you can manage your team while "walking around" the work environment   (physical and virtual)

• Include affected employees in goal setting.
• Give frequent and meaningful recognition for a job well done.
• Interact with employees on an informal basis.
• Go to staff’s work area. Meet them on their own turf.
• Ask for staff’s opinions and listen with an open mind. Try to understand their point of view.
• Share non-confidential information with staff, and ask for their input and response on issues.
• Offset demoralising actions and events by emphasising what went well, and use the experience as a learning opportunity.

• Listen 80% of the time and talk 20%.
• Ask staff what rumours they have heard, and address them.
• Get into the “trenches” with staff. Look for opportunities to understand employees’ jobs better.
• Give information to staff after management meetings.
• Ask staff. “Have I made our vision, mission, and goals clear and understandable?”
• Ask staff, “What can I do to help you with your job, and what am I doing that gets in your way?”
• Ask staff “What is making our action sponsors/beneficiaries/beneficiaries the most and/or the least satisfied?”
• Praise in public and give feedback in private.
• Find something to like about each staff member with whom you work.
• Actively make a point of speaking to all employees seen each day.
• Build bridges with people with whom you are uncomfortable.
• Set goals each month on ways to accomplish “Managing by Walking Around.”
• Occasionally have lunch with staff members. Use this as an opportunity to build trust.