Who’s career is important, yours or theirs?
ByA good manager is a man who isn’t worried about his own career but rather the careers of those who work for him.
– Henry S. Burns
As a manager, your greatest resource is the group of people around you. It isn’t the building, it isn’t the equipment, it isn’t the bank account, it is the people. Your people.
They have the greatest impact on success and failure. They have the greatest impact on the P&L statement. They have the greatest impact on you as a manager. And, they have the greatest impact on you as a person.
Now, here is a side note. If you have been in management or ownership for any length of time, you realize the many people will come and go in your organization. It is a fact of life. People move, grow, fall back, loose interest, and many other things which take them from one job to another. The people that work for you are not going to be with you for ever.
So, with that being said, why should we invest in the careers of our people, especially since they aren’t going to be here forever?
First of all, it will improve them while they are with you and you will reap the benifits.
Secondly, you will improve as it is readily known that the teacher learns as much as the student.
Thirdly, pouring into someone with the right heart fosters contentment, security, enjoyment, and multiplication.
Multiplication brings another reason. As your people become receptive to your pouring into them, encourage them to the same for their direct reports. When they trust you and what you are doing for them, they will be more likely to pass it on to others and ultimately create an organization of mentorship and development.
On another side note, be ready for some real changes in your organization if you do this. If you are already doing it, you know what I’m talking about.
Besides, I think I read somewhere that we should treat others as we would have them treat us; or something like that. hmmm. (Luke 6:31) I think there is definately something there, don’t you? I mean, don’t you hope that someone is willing to invest in you? Or maybe someone already is.
Lead a straight path. Be Blessed.
