How a Modern Manager Creates High Performance

You are given the chance to hand-pick your team for a challenging new project.

Do you:

A) Pick a team of diverse characters (think the A-Team with B.A. Baracus); or

B) Pick a team of Mini-Me's (can't resist an Austin Powers reference)

Let's assume both teams are equally talented, motivated, and ethical.

This is a trick question because both answers may be right! The trick is it doesn't depend on the team members, it depends on the ability of the manager.

If you are better at managing people like you and struggle with people who don't share a similar background, experience, or perspective, the A-Team will not serve you well. And this will only get worse if you don't have the ability to get them to work well with each other.

Managing people like you is hard enough! How do you learn to manage people who are different from you?

KEY PRINCIPLE

LET THE KNIFE DO THE WORK

When a chef uses a knife, they use a firm, but relaxed grip that allows the knife to move smoothly, while maintaining control.

If held too tightly, the knife's movements become rigid and jerky. If held too loosely, the knife is more likely to slip or lose control. Both are dangerous and deliver suboptimal performance.

The Modern Manager gives team members the freedom to operate naturally, independent of the personal preferences of the manager. However, this doesn't mean a lack of supervision or guidance. To the contrary, the Modern Manager provides clear guidance and critical boundaries.

It's not performance that's being relaxed, it's the rigid adherence to "my way." This approach holds space for other, and sometimes even better ways to meet the same goals.

If you're interested in exploring the 7 Strategies a Modern Manager uses to unlock the high performance of global teams, find out more here.

If you have any questions, let's connect. You can find me at joe@connectioncounselor.com.