Management by walking around (MBWA), a popular concept back in the 1980’s, is still an effective way to manage people. Like most of us who have earned our senior management positions, you probably ignored this as “another new age fad”. You weren’t wrong in doing so, but you may not have realized how this progressive-sounding strategy can be turned into an effective means of control. Here are some ways to look like a progressive manager without losing your control and image of authority in the organization.
Walk around a lot, but don’t get friendly with the workers. Your presence will keep workers on their toes, and you can listen in on their conversations to pick up valuable information and identify the slackers and malcontents. Don’t join workers in idle conversation, though, or you will give them the idea you are accessible, and soon they will be coming to you with their concerns and “ideas for improvement”, which can be a real nuisance. Be sure to either ignore the workers as if they don’t exist, or stare at them coldly, if they look up as you come by. You must NOT appear approachable if you want to maintain your authoritative image in the organization.
Surround yourself with visitors and/or other managers. Employees will be much less likely to approach you when you have other “suits” with you. If you’ve done some previous walking around, though, you can impress those accompanying you with your knowledge not only of the operation, but of who the goof-offs and trouble makers are. Workers may even think that your guests are considering buying some of the equipment they are using. This will create a fear of losing their jobs that will *really* keep them on their toes. Effectively applied MBWA will ensure that nobody is sleeping on the job!
copyright 1998, 2008, Timothy F. Prosser, This line must be included in all copies
Tags: business humor, humor, management by walking around, management humor
