Discretionary Effort- What’s Your Job Then?

Posted on 10. Jan, 2006 by Wayne in General

A study in the UK (and first reported in Management Issues) says that Managers consider things like coaching, developing their teams and adopting a creative approach to work are “discretionary efforts”- outside the scope of their daily jobs. (God love the English and their mastery of the euphemism). Read more about the study here….

Why is that? My guess it’s about reward. We reward managers for hitting sales numbers and other short-term goals but don’t measure the things they do that have long-term impact. What does your company do to turn these “discretionary efforts” into job descriptions? Let us all know.

Meanwhile, I’m working on euphemisms. If Discretionary Effort is “stuff I should do but don’t get around to and nobody seems to care” then I”m going to start referring to stuff I don’t want to do but DO appear on my performance review as “Dispatched Necessities”. Sounds impressive and will probably confuse the heck out of my boss. That’s a good day’s effort.

Don’t let the weasels get ya down.

The Cranky Middle Manager Show #30 Mark Goulston- Getting Out of Your Own Way

Posted on 08. Jan, 2006 by Wayne in Podcast

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The Cranky Middle Manager Show #30

For all of us who sometimes live a bit too much in our heads, we have a great guest- Dr. Mark Goulston, author of “Get Out of Your Own Way At Work” is with us.

1:46 This show is dedicated to Robert the Bruce who was able to get out of his own way and start kicking some butt. Of course, whether it was his creative thinking or the fact that his main enemy died and left Britain to his effeminate, not-very-bright kid but why pick nits?

3:00 The Quote Of The Week from William Wordworth… what is fear but voices airy…. we’re developing a theme here aren’t we?

4:30 Welcome Mark Goulston…and we dive right into the guy in the back of my head. Who cares if this podcast isn’t turning a profit…it’s cheaper than therapy.

6:29 What is it about procrastination? Why do we put stuff off? According to his first book “Get Out of Your Own Way” it’s loneliness as much as anything.

11:30 Stress is good for you…really. Distress is bad. Write it down……

15:00 How hardwired is self-defeating behavior and what does that have to do with managing? Well there are 4 ways people in authority connect with others who rely on them:

1) Coddle or spoil the child ( or the employee)
2) Criticize
3) Neglect
4) Connecting constructively so they can exhale and relax

18:30 What does that “exhalation” look like? How should a manager work with their people?

21:00 How do new managers learn to make the move from high-performer to manager and get out of their (and their employees’ ) way? Check out his New Manager Training.

26:30 Okay now we’re getting somewhere….. the first guest I’ve had who was interviewed in Penthouse… okay, it was about how NOT to tick off the boss but still…..

29:00 One last piece of advice… use feed “forward” rather than feedback. Here’s how….

Check out a Live Meeting he did

Marshall Goldsmith in a Live Meeting on “Managing Up” as well.

Check out my website, www.achismarketing.com if you’re interested in having me speak to your organization, meeting or conference. Okay I’m not Mark Goulston but someday when I grow up……

You can always EMAIL ME or leave me a SKYPE message at wayneturmel.

Don’t let the weasels get ya down.

I’m a Thought Leader- Who Knew?

Posted on 05. Jan, 2006 by Wayne in General

Folks, I have been asked to be a regular contributor to the website “Management Issues”. More than that, I’m in their “Thought Leaders” section. This is a big deal because it puts me in with people I admire immensely like Edward de Bono, John Blackwell, Rene De Costa and others.

This is a site I’ve followed for a while, because it has a great mix of research and HR/Business information. My column will be monthly, and you can read my first effort here.

For those interested in trends, I am the third or fourth TPN host to be approached by other media based on the success of their podcasts. Richard Giles of “The Gadget Show” is writing books like crazy. Ewan Spence was nominated for a British broadcasting award for his podcasts of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival…. Podcasting as a way of establishing credibility in the real world…. bears thinking about.

If you have an idea for a podcast, or have one and would like to have it part of the Podcast Network, drop a line to my head keeper, Cameron Reilly. They’re in expansion mode around here and are trying to build up the TPN brand. Hey, if it can give ME credibility…..

The Cranky Middle Manager Show #29 David Allen-Getting Things Done

Posted on 03. Jan, 2006 by Wayne in Podcast

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The Cranky Middle Manager Show #02

Getting Things Done with David Allen

What better way to start the new year than by determining that THIS is the year you’ll get it together, and we’re lucky to have David Allen, author of the best-selling “Getting Things Done”. He’ll talk about what it takes to just “get stuff done” and get on with what’s really important at work.

Show Notes

0:00 A slightly embarrassing plea for help from our listeners. However you find us, please let them know what you think about it… iTunes, Yahoo, Podcast Alley whatever.

2:25 This show is dedicated to Jason of Jason and the Argonauts. Despite some interpersonal communicating problems, this was a guy who could get things done. More importantly, no one ever knows what became of the project he was working on..just a pat on the back and on to the next one. Sound like anyone you know?

4:10 an optimistic quote of the week from the Greek playwright Menander on getting things done. Not a bad segue…

5:30 Welcome to David Allen, author or Getting Things Done. Hundreds of thousands of copies mean this might be a big ole problem for a lot of us.
2 big differences between this work and everyone else out there claiming to be a guru:

1) Have a system, but it doesn’t matter what kind of tool you use
2) Start on the runway, not at 50,000 feet

10:15 It’s all about determining the meaning of the input. Never underestimate the importance of doughnuts in the breakroom, just don’t let it get in the way.

14:30 We talk about David’s Blog and priorities…

20:00 Home or work, it’s not about getting one done over the other…it’s about getting organized. Period. Sheesh… no magic bullets here…… Some practical tips.

23:00 The weekly review is maybe the biggest secret for managers to help their teams.

27:00 The dirty little secret of all this is…total accountability. YIKES!

Don’t forget David’s other book: Ready for Anything : 52 Productivity Principles for Work and Life

If you’ve enjoyed the show, please subscribe and check out our ARCHIVES… lots of good stuff from past interviews.

If you know anyone looking for a speaker for a meeting or event, I’m looking for opportunities. Check out my website at www.achismarketing.com.