The manager is dead. Long live the manager.
Our ears pricked up when we heard that Zappos had decided to do away with managers and job titles. The idea is to distribute power more broadly, increase accountability, and get rid of all the bureaucratic layers that can make companies feel corporate in the worst possible way. The underlying intent seems spot-on. But let’s hope Zappos still finds a way to preserve the best of what great managers do (even if they no longer call those people managers).
On building trust
Want to keep your duos going strong? Focus on building a bank of trust not feeding a reserve of resentment.
Getting beyond grudges
Are grudges slowing your team down? Commit to giving feedback in the moment and working through conflicts openly. Don’t indulge teammates who sit and stew without trying to change things.
Belief = fuel
Belief is like a renewable energy source for your team. Your job as a manager is to keep recharging it.
Better coordination, increased productivity
Wondering how to boost your team’s productivity? Focus on improving coordination: Clarify roles and responsibilities. Shore up communication gaps. Make hand-offs more efficient. Small process improvements can make a huge difference.
Looking for a good Monday ritual?
As a team, answer these three questions: 1) What did we accomplish last week? 2) What do we need to accomplish this week? 3) Is there anything standing in our way?