{"id":2442,"date":"2013-05-21T14:41:57","date_gmt":"2013-05-21T14:41:57","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.franchisemart.in\/franchise\/?p=2442"},"modified":"2013-05-21T14:41:57","modified_gmt":"2013-05-21T14:41:57","slug":"management-by-wandering-around-staying-in-touch-with-your-team","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.franchisemart.in\/franchise\/management-by-wandering-around-staying-in-touch-with-your-team\/","title":{"rendered":"Management by Wandering Around: Staying in Touch with Your Team"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Picture a boss in a lavish office with sumptuous leather furniture and wood-paneled walls. He is sitting behind a huge desk full of important work that needs his attention. He is far too busy to be concerned with anything outside his office walls.
\nThere\u2019s enough happening within.
\nThis type of boss can be intimidating and unapproachable. Yet, this is a common scenario in many organizations. What type of boss would you like to be? Do you want to be remote and bask in your own importance? Or do you want to know what\u2019s happening out there \u201cin the trenches\u201d?
\nAs a boss, you can be admired for your wisdom, knowledge and expertise without being distant and disconnected. If you build a wall around yourself, your team may not gain from your experience, and this can undermine problem solving and decision making. <\/p>\n

Being connected can be a major factor for success: The more connected you are, the better you can understand what motivates members of your team, analyze what\u2019s really going on, and find solutions that meet the needs of your people and your company.<\/p>\n

Introducing MBWA
\nTo get connected and stay connected, you need to walk around and talk to your team, work alongside them, ask questions, and be there to help when needed. This practice has been called Management by Wandering Around (or Management by Walking About) \u2014 MBWA for short.<\/p>\n

William Hewlett and David Packard, founders of Hewlett Packard (HP), famously used this approach in their company. Tom Peters, in his wildly successful 1982 book \u201cIn Search of Excellence,\u201d included lessons learned from HP and other companies that used a similar style \u2013 and the term MBWA immediately became popular.<\/p>\n

What MBWA Can Achieve
\nFor a long time Management by Wandering Around has never really gone out of fashion. If you use MBWA, you can increase the following:<\/p>\n

Approachability: When your staff sees you as a person and not just a boss, they will be more likely to tell you what\u2019s going on. You will get the chance to learn about issues before they become problems. <\/p>\n

Trust: As your team gets to know you better, they will trust you more. You will be naturally inclined to share more information, and that will break down barriers to communication. <\/p>\n

Business knowledge: Getting out and learning what\u2019s happening on a daily basis can give you a better understanding of the functions and processes around you. <\/p>\n

Accountability: When you interact daily with your team, agreements you make with each other are much more likely to be completed. Everyone is more motivated to follow through, because you\u2019re seeing each other on a regular basis.
\nMorale: People often feel better about their jobs and their organization when they have opportunities to be heard. MBWA makes those opportunities available. <\/p>\n

Productivity: Many creative ideas come from casual exchanges. MBWA promotes casual discussions, so people will more likely feel free to come to you with their ideas.
\nDespite its obvious benefits, use of MBWA has been hit-and-miss. To be successful, it takes more than simply strolling through your office, warehouse, or production facility. MBWA isn\u2019t a \u201cwalk in the park\u201d: It\u2019s a determined and genuine effort to understand your staff, what they do, and what you can do to make their work more effective.
\nDo not just do MBWA because you feel it\u2019s an obligation \u2014 this probably will not work very well. You have to truly want to get to know your staff and operations, and you have to commit to following up concerns and seeking continuous improvement.<\/p>\n

How to Implement MBWA<\/p>\n

These \u201cwandering around\u201d tips can help you get started:
\nRelax: People will sense your genuineness and casualness, and they will respond accordingly. Stiff, formal conversation will probably lead to equally rigid responses. Listen and observe more than you talk \u2013 use active listening with your staff. When people feel you are hearing them, you will probably seem more sincere. Read some pointers on active listening. <\/p>\n

Ask for feedback and ideas: Let everyone know that you want ideas to make things better. As the boss, people may think that your opinions and ideas are \u201cright.\u201d So hold back from saying what you think \u2014 the goal is to see what others have to say. <\/p>\n

Wander around equally: Do not spend more time in one department or section than another. And do not always talk to the same people, or to people with certain ranks. You want to be approachable to everyone, regardless of job title or position. Use the time for spontaneous recognition. If you see something good, compliment the person. This is a perfect way to show your gratitude. <\/p>\n

Hold meetings \u201cout and about\u201d: Instead of having all your meetings in the boardroom or your office, meet with people in their work areas and \u201con their turf.\u201d This can put them more at ease. Communicate your expectations and needs so that everyone knows what you value. <\/p>\n

Do not use this time to judge or critique: This can make people nervous when you are around. If you see something that concerns you, talk to the person later, in private. Answer questions openly and honestly \u2013 If you do not know an answer, find out and then follow up. If you can not share something, say so. Telling half-truths can break down trust.
\nCommunicate: Share company goals, philosophy, values, and vision. Your \u201cwalk-arounds\u201d are opportunities to mutually share information that helps everyone understand and do their jobs better. <\/p>\n

Chat: Effective organizations are not all about work, work, and work. Build relationships. Learn the names of your staff\u2019s kids.
\nFind out what they love to do or where they\u2019re going on vacation. Joke, laugh, and have fun. You may be surprised at how great it feels to relate on a personal level with the people in your office. <\/p>\n

Don\u2019t overdo it: Do not leave people feeling that you\u2019re always looking over their shoulders! Wander around often enough to get a good feel for what\u2019s going on, but not so often that your presence feels like a mundane distraction.
\nNote: To implement MBWA throughout your company, consider making it one element of your managers\u2019 performance evaluations. What gets measured gets done. If supervisors work far away from the staff they manage, consider moving them, or giving them a second office that\u2019s closer to where the work is done. If managers work near their staff, they may be more approachable.<\/p>\n

Key Points
\nManagement by Wandering Around can be an effective and practical way to keep up with what\u2019s happening within your team and your organization. Make the effort to get out and build relationships with your staff. This can pay off significantly with the information you will gather and the trust you will build. A team spirit can naturally develop when you show a genuine interest in your people and their work. It\u2019s also a great way to keep the company\u2019s vision alive at all levels. It\u2019s easy, economical and a whole lot of fun.<\/p>\n

Apply This to Your Life
\nHow can you use Management by Wandering Around to help you achieve your leadership goals? Ask yourself the following:
\nWhen was the last time you walked around your office or department? Why did you walk around? Were you looking for things that people were doing poorly or doing well? Were you using it as an opportunity to criticize or learn? Where do you usually hold your meetings? If you use your office or your boardroom, do you think your staff finds that intimidating? Do you know the first and last names of all your team members?
\nThis is a must. Better yet, you should learn the names of their spouses and kids. <\/p>\n

Do you know more about a small group of your staff vs. all staff, or more about one department vs. others? Why have you been focusing your attention on just those people? Do you think the rest of the staff sees this as favoritism? Do colleagues come to you with ideas? Think about the creativity and innovation you could tap into if they did.<\/p>\n