Leadership Lessons Blog

Leadership Lessons--Becoming a T-Shaped Manager!

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Morten T. Hansen, wrote an interesting article in HR Magazine's January edition.  The title of the article is The Future Manager is T-Shaped.  The basic premise of the article indicates that for managers to be successful in the future they must be able to be successful within their own departments while at the same time contributing to the success of departments across their organizations.  They also need to know when to say "no" to projects that they feel don't add to their own department's success or the success of the company as a whole.  Hansen cited, BEO David Nagel from oil giant BP as an example. 

In one year, Nagel and his team assisted 20 other departments.  To ensure that collaboration did not undermine outstanding unit performance, he had to manage his time, delegate to his team and say "no" to questionable cross-unit activities.  Hansen goes on to suggest tips for becoming an excellent T-shaped manager:  delivering results for excellent performance in his own unit (the vertical part of the T) and contributes across the company (the horizontal part of the T). 

TIPS for T-SHAPE MANAGEMENT SUCCESS!

• "Have the right attitude and believe that a job has two responsibilities--to achieve high performance in your own department and to contribute to other departments' performance.  If you see your role through this lends, you start looking at other people's work from their points of view."
• "Know your own area.  Think of the vertical part of the T as your area ofdepartment's expertise."
• "Know about other areas.  For instance, if you're a scientist in product development, you should know a little about marketing and sales or you won't contribute effectively."
• "Have the right networks.  Build effective interpersonal contacts with diverse colleagues and people outside your company.  Be persuasive, influencing people with the power of rank or finances.: 

In the past leaders could depend upon the notion that if they succeeded within their own fields of interests that they could be assured of success.  That expectation is changing.  Both individual and collective goals are now rewarded and teamwork and collaboration is the key to making this happen.

It's time to start working on your T-SHAPED management skills.