The Cranky Middle Manager #144 Big Ideas to Big Results- Michael Kanazawa
Wayne Turmel talks to Michael Kanazawa, co-author of “Big Ideas to Big Results- Remake and Recharge Your Company Fast”. We also take a look at the Mongol general Subotai…. delegation is a critical skill gang even if you’re a “working manager” and I have a meltdown over the term “working manager”….
Show Notes
0:00 Welcome to the show. Today we dedicate this episode to Subutai, the great Mongol General (but then you knew that, right?) Even when you get called a coward, staying above the situation so you can really see what’s going on is part of a manager’s job. Subutai conquered half the world for his boss, even though he wasn’t a fighting general…or a “working manager” As opposed to WHAT?
2:42 The quote of the week is from Michelangelo who was a right pain to manage but knew a thing or two about getting results…
3:07 Welcome Michael Kanazawa of Disserro Partners and co-author of Big Ideas to Big Results. Why do those of us with big ideas have such a hard time getting the desired result? Organizations are on overload- they have what he refers to as “Corporate ADD”. There aren’t enough resources actually committed to one idea. A little corporate Ritalin would be good.
7:50 How do you gently tell someone their good idea isn’t getting any love this month, and how do I respond when it’s my baby that gets ignored? The company has to decide, then communicate their plans clearly and then stick to the plan. Will it accelerate growth? Do we have the bandwidth? It’s often decided by what the Sales weasels want….
12:51 You might want to create a Market Map. Organizations need to align with where the market is going. Is your whole company aligned to serve the customer? It’s not as obvious as it sounds.
15:31 As you move up in a company, do you understand how power works? A good individual contributor probably has no power… which can make you crazy. By the time you get high enough you can’t micromanage…it’s not possible. A great example is from the book, an operations guy at an airline…. it’s all about how engaged (that word again!) the employees are with the strategy.
25:59 What happens when metrics are imposed from above without consulting the people on the ground? They are usually not outcome metrics, but “check the box” metrics…..
27:53 Michael’s Resources
The Employee Engagement Ning Site (also known as the Cranky Middle Manager Alumni Society)
Michael Lee Stallard- Fired Up or Burned Out you can also check his interview out here.
Rick Barrera- Over Promise and Over Deliver- the Secrets of Unshakeable Customer Loyalty