At that time it was your basic Management 101 program. Because it was running at a management center as a noncredit program taught by a management practitioner, the college emphasized application rather than academics. Nonetheless, it was still a basic Introduction to Management program.
Years went by and I became a full-time educator working in the tri-state region of Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island. By then I had expanded my offerings to a five program series leading to a certificate in supervisory management. The certificate program had been adopted by a good number of community colleges and several four-year colleges as well. But the application-oriented fundamentals program was still titled Introduction to Management.
One day I received a homework assignment from a manager attending that program. He had completed and submitted an action plan designed to accomplish a goal previously submitted in an earlier homework assignment. I was extremely impressed with his work and gave him a top grade.
Several months later he attended another one of my programs. He came to speak to me at break time to tell me of his success with the action plan. He began by asking me if I remembered his action plan. I said I did; it was very good work.
"Yes Dan," he said. "And I actually use that plan and accomplished my goal. Because of the work I did in class on my goal statement and action plan, I got permission from my boss to do a special project that my department has requested for years; always being turned down. Probably because the previous managers in my position never took the time to think it through so they could prepare a good solid proposal. I got the permission, followed my action plan and finished the job last week."
He went on to say "Guess what happened? Since then," he said, "my boss has congratulated me on three separate occasions for getting that job done. And yesterday, the company president, I don't even know the guy, came into the department and shook my hand and told me what a good job I'd done with that project."
To him I responded, "that my friend, is what it's all about. It's not about good grades. It's not about certificates of completion. It's about using what you learn to the benefit of your department, your company and you."
That was a turning point. I decided to change the title for the program. And though I always emphasized application rather than academics, I decided to increase program content to put even more emphasis on application.
The "Managing for Results" program continues to be academically sound. I present solid principles. But as I introduce the program to new participants, I tell them that the practice of management is not just about knowing the principles. There are many managers who know the principles. They can tell you all about them. They talk a good game.
The best managers don't talk a lot about management principles. Instead they practice them. And they apply them to accomplish goals and achieve results. Instead of telling you what they know, they show you what they can do. That's the key to success in management, and a foundation principle in all my programs.
About me: Managing for Results is one of five programs Dan Pelley offers in a series leading to a Certificate in Supervisory Management. Click here to see a Statement of Learning Objectives for "Managing For Results." For additional information about the supervision series and other programs offered by Dan Pelley, click here to visit Dan Pelley Educational Services website.
Copyright © 2009 Daniel W. Pelley
All rights reserved.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment