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THREE FACES OF A MANAGER
The manger of a small team has three major roles to play:
A Manager has to take a long-term view; indeed, the higher
you rise, the further you will have to look. While a team member will be working
towards known and established goals, the manager must look further ahead so that
these goals are selected wisely. By thinking about the eventual consequences of
different plans, the manager selects the optimal plan for the team and
implements it. By taking account of the needs not only of the next project but
the project after that, the manager ensures that work is not repeated nor
problems tackled too late, and that the necessary resources are allocated and
arranged.
The Manager has access to information and materials which the
team needs. Often he/she has the authority or influence to acquire things which
no one else in the team could. This role for the manager is important simply
because no one else can do the job; there is some authority which the manager
holds uniquely within the team, and the manager must exercise this to help the
team to work.
The team needs security from the vagaries of less enlightened
managers. In any company, there are short-term excitements which can deflect the
work-force from the important issues. The manager should be there to guard
against these and to protect the team. If a new project emerges which is to be
given to your team, you are responsible for costing it (especially in terms of
time) so that your team is not given an impossible deadline. If someone in your
team brings forward a good plan, you must ensure that it receives a fair hearing
and that your team knows and understands the outcome. If someone is in your team
has a problem at work, you have to deal with it.
