The Cranky Middle Manager Show #316 The Final Cranky Show and the Future of Work with John Blackwell
The Cranky Middle Manager Show #67 Management Issues Columnist Charles Helliwell
Posted on 20. Oct, 2006 by Wayne in Podcast
The Cranky Middle Manager Show #067
Today we talk to Charles Helliwell, who is a fellow Management Issues columnist. He recently wrote an article called Turning Silver Into Gold- which was a fairly cranky rant on how older workers are disrespected in the workplace….seemed a good reason to get in touch and have this conversation. Enjoy
Show Notes
0:00 Today, since we’re celebrating old soldiers, we’re going to celebrate Sergeant Major Richard Williams. No glory and you get to wipe the noses of officers half your age. Sounds kind of like what Charlie is talking about. By the way, i give a tip of the hat to the British Army for treating their losers WAY better than my company does…
2:19 The quote of the week is from Mark Twain… you learn from experience, but do you learn what you’re supposed to????
3:43 Welcome self-professed behavioral anarchist Charles Helliwell. He’s been around the block and raised all kinds of havoc. He believes in the asset value of human beings, bless his heart. What do we mean by “asset value”?
8:27 We talk about the Age Discrimination Act in the UK, and why it doesn’t work so well. i also find myself in the strange position of defending the company a bit. Yeah, I don’t quite believe it either…. It’s all about the transaction- what ae you actually hiring these people to do?
14:14 How do managers help fill that gap? Look at the people assets you have working with you and evaluate their ambitions.
18:28 Most people- older or otherwise, don’t tell their story very well, which leaves them at the mercy of their resumes. You can prove your value anecdotally. It’s not easy to do… I suggest the good old STAR format:
- Situation
- Task
- Actions
- Result
You have to practice and prepare for the interview.
26:03 Here’s where we ask for resources, and Charlie offers a unique idea- meet people…talk to them…. it’s fun AND you’ll learn something, and most of us don’t do it very well.
Drop us an email, post to the blog, join our frappr map, let us know what you’re thinking.
One More “When I’m CEO”…
Posted on 16. Oct, 2006 by Wayne in General
Dan Ward (You remember him from show #Â 63 ) had this to say:
When I’m CEO I’m going to hire a No Guy. His entire job will be to disagree with me about everything; tell me I’m an idiot, point out flaws in every idea, plan or project, and generally keep me honest. I’ll pay him a ton of money, and if he ever agrees with me, he’s fired. Sort of like a court jester – the one guy who could always tell the king the truth…
Dan is accepting resumes now……
The Cranky Middle Manager Show #66 The Management Skills Blog with Tom Foster
Posted on 12. Oct, 2006 by Wayne in Podcast
The Cranky Middle Manager Show #066
Welcome to the 66th Episode of the show. Today we talk to Tom Foster, who writes the Management Skills Blog. I found it when Lisa Haneberg posted a list of 50 good blogs for Coaches and Trainers. Check out her list here. Anyway, I had to check out Tom’s blog and by golly, here we are.
Show Notes
0:00 Welcome one and all. This week we talk about the role of the manager for those moving into the role. I feel weird urging people to read the blog since those of you who read it will see this and those of you who don’t….won’t.Ahhhh I love the smell of a good paradox.
At any rate, the show is dedicated to Dihya (among at least 4 other spellings) Al Kahina, a Berber-Jewish queen who knew how to make the hard choices. Congratulations, you’re the queen….now there’s this new bunch called the Muslims and they’re knocking at the door……
3:42Â The quote of the week is an old Arabian proverb, appropriately enough. If you want it badly enough people, it’s yours. Welcome to management…… We segue into an odd promo for the Father Bob Show….. I love it.
6:00  Welcome the self-effacing Tom Foster, host of the Management Skills Blog. Tom takes written questions from his readers, so what’s the conversation about? A lot of readers want to talk about making the move to management. What’s the hardest part of making the transition? There’s angst, pain, drama…. where do you sign up? It’s about thinking into the future as opposed to just about the day at hand.
11:00Â Â There’s a heirarchy…Supervisor (making sure work gets done) Manager (putting the systems in place) and Senior Managers (making sure the necessary integration takes place)
19:30 Really managing and coaching your folks means asking good questions. Rather than leading the witness, use phrases like “walk me through what you were thinking?” or “Tell me what happened?”
22:00Â Tom is a follower of Elliott Jaques who believed that a functional organization has a definite hierarchy and a vital role for middle managers. Basically good old-fashioned management, the heck with Fast Company and matrix management.
29:57Â Tom’s Resources include
Elliott Jacques  Requisite Organization
Jerry Harvey  How Come Every time I Get Stabbed in the Back My Fingerprints Are On the Knife?
Drop me an email, check out our Frappr map or check out my Ebook here….
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The Cranky Middle Manager in Israel- This Time I Mean It
Posted on 10. Oct, 2006 by Wayne in General
Hi folks. Long time readers will know I was all set to go to Israel on a business trip in late July….you remember late July…..seems there was a little trouble there and the trip got cancelled. Well, the trip is back on. i’m going to be in the Tel Aviv/ Herzelia area from October 28-November 2.
I know we have listeners there, so if any one wants to get together for dinner or a frosty beverage, just let me know. Also, if anyone knows a modestly priced (read cheap) tour guide for a day in Jerusalem, drop me an email. I’d love to meet any of you who will be around.
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