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General => General Discussion => Topic started by: JayOctavarium on September 21, 2017, 03:19:24 PM
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Okay. As some of you know from my blabbing in the chat thread, I am getting another promotion. My supervisor put his 2 week notice in, and as of October 1st, I am assuming his role. Here's my issue: I am very unorganized. What tips do any of you have regarding managing people, organization, reheating pizza, etc?
One of my biggest issues is going to be staying on top of EVERYTHING that needs to be done. Basically the only thing that has a definite "Here do this thing by the end of the day" is payroll, everything else, from scheduling, emails, hiring, disciplinary action, training, etc is up to me and how I want to work it. I'm looking for a good android planner / scheduling app to help me out, as I am incredibly forgetful at times. Anyone have any amazing tips? *insert Archer JUST THE TIP joke here*
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Carry a pocket notepad and a pencil. Write things down. Check things off. Make sure the page is complete at the end of the day. It's a whole lot easier to scribble down "sexually harass Melinda" than it is to add it to an app or organizer, and you're more likely to check it at the EOD.
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The time management matrix ("quadrants") from Steven Covey's Seven Habits of Highly Effective People...this thing can be a life-changer, done properly.
https://www.planetofsuccess.com/blog/2015/stephen-coveys-time-management-matrix-explained/
Also, maybe have a look at Getting Things Done, I use a couple of tricks from that (and generally keep obsessive to-do lists).
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Set a list like EB said and tackle one at a time. I say this because there are some points where you're tackling five things at a time that are added on. so when you make a list, work on that one thing while other things get thrown at you and then get back to that list.
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reheating pizza
Toaster oven is the way to go. No microwave.
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(https://store.hbo.com/imgcache/product/resized/001/006/001/catl/silicon-valley-conjoined-triangles-of-success-poster-11-x-17-557_1000.jpg?k=32fd5f01&pid=1006001&s=catl&sn=hbo)
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In all seriousness, create a prioritized "To Do" list for yourself at least weekly.
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-Treat others how you like to be treated.
-Prioritize!!
-When it comes to remembering things, Outlook is a godsend for me at work. You can set a million little reminders that way you never forget to do anything.
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We have a list that was made on Excel that called LSW.
Leader Standard Work.
It allows us to list, prioritize, for the day and week's agenda. Ordering, top 5 needs ext. It helps a ton.
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Regarding to-do lists, one trick to making them work better is to list the next step of a certain activity, rather than the the whole activity (e.g. "buy cleaning supplies" instead of "clean apartment"). It makes it clear what you have to do, and makes it easier to make progress on complex activities.
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I originally commented on never using outlook
Then it dawned on me that I used it when I was working my county job last year.
I'm going to check it out.
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-Treat others how you like to be treated.
-Prioritize!!
-When it comes to remembering things, Outlook is a godsend for me at work. You can set a million little reminders that way you never forget to do anything.
I've never used outlook. I thought it was just basically an email service?
My current job is the only place I've ever used it, but it works extremely well. Very easy to organize everything, not just emails.
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-Treat others how you like to be treated.
-Prioritize!!
-When it comes to remembering things, Outlook is a godsend for me at work. You can set a million little reminders that way you never forget to do anything.
I've never used outlook. I thought it was just basically an email service?
My current job is the only place I've ever used it, but it works extremely well. Very easy to organize everything, not just emails.
There are many features and a calendar is a big one for setting up meetings/reminders/whatever.
My opinion is simply a notepad. Write things down, have the notepad available, and use it. My job doesn't require me to be terribly organized, but at times when things are getting hectic, I always keep notes on what I need to be on top of. I'm attached to my work laptop so I just have an informal notepad of notes on it for things. Obviously there are better ways, but you are going to have to figure out what works best for you and what keeps you working at it. Sometimes things more complicated end up leaving you not using the tool, just keep it as simple as it needs for you to be effective using it.
also,
(https://store.hbo.com/imgcache/product/resized/001/006/001/catl/silicon-valley-conjoined-triangles-of-success-poster-11-x-17-557_1000.jpg?k=32fd5f01&pid=1006001&s=catl&sn=hbo)
:rollin :rollin :rollin
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-Treat others how you like to be treated.
-Prioritize!!
-When it comes to remembering things, Outlook is a godsend for me at work. You can set a million little reminders that way you never forget to do anything.
I've never used outlook. I thought it was just basically an email service?
My current job is the only place I've ever used it, but it works extremely well. Very easy to organize everything, not just emails.
Agreed. It has a calendar as well as tasks. For both, you can have reminders popup. And you can make them recurring as well - every month, 2 weeks, week, daily, etc.
My current job is the only place I've ever used it, but it works extremely well. Very easy to organize everything, not just emails.
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Jay, you should have two lists.
One is things that need to be completed daily, and another for weekly tasks.
Also, what kind of business is this?
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Also, what kind of business is this?
Security. The account is a 48 acre gated community. 500+ residences. My company provides 24 hour security, access control, etc.
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To each their own, but LISTS. However you do it, LISTS.
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To each their own, but LISTS. However you do it, LISTS.
For real, with all the tech tools available to me at my job, the thing I always come back to is my handwritten list of "to-dos".
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To each their own, but LISTS. However you do it, LISTS.
For real, with all the tech tools available to me at my job, the thing I always come back to is my handwritten list of "to-dos".
Yea me too, but to each their own. For some they need the more organized tools. For me, my notepad (digitally now, both on phone and laptop) is what I use.
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To each their own, but LISTS. However you do it, LISTS.
For real, with all the tech tools available to me at my job, the thing I always come back to is my handwritten list of "to-dos".
Dude my desk is LITTERED with envelopes, half-pieces of paper, whatever, with lists on them. It's crude, but it works for me.
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So a few things that come to mind on being a manager..
I work for a major supermarket chain where I spent 16 years as a Store Manager, and have seen all kinds of styles of managers. Some guys are such assholes, yet they seem to be looked upon positively by upper management. I never could manage like that. I generally did not want conflict for conflict's sake. I have to come to this place everyday, and I can't have manufactured conflict. There's enough legitimate conflict for that.
1. I always felt that I needed to be honest. I worked hard to not lie or fib, even handling confidential info. I would always say that I cannot get into it or comment on it. My people appreciated my honesty.
2. I also felt that it was my job to help my associates succeed. You have to learn the difference between someone asking you for help, or if they are dumping things in your lap.
3. When my people approached me, I had to remind myself that what they are bringing to my attention is important to them, and important to their job.
4. I never talked business on my first walk around the store, unless I walked into a train wreck. My current manager, and my last manager greet me everyday with something negative. It sucks. I tried to set the exact opposite tone.
5. People's jobs are tough enough. I felt what I owed them was leadership and guidance.
6. I never asked a question that I already knew the answer.
7. I tried to visibly do something to help every department in my store everyday. That was sometimes tough in a Union environment (meaning there were limits to what I could "do"), but when my people understood that, they were more than appreciative.
I'm sure I'll come up with a few more.
Everytime I got to a new store, I'd also explain my "Open Door" policy.
If the door is open..come on in.
If it's closed...do NOT knock on it. You can page or call my extension, but do NOT knock.
If it's kind of closed, but left open a bit, you can come in, but it better be important.
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I'm loving the feedback I'm getting here. I've already started laying a basic list of goals I want to get done per day, week, and month. Small obvious things, that probably won't be so obvious once I get into the thick of things, like the schedule. Making sure I have a schedule (or at least a tentative one) posted for my guys by the 20th of each month (That's a big one, as my outgoing supervisor would let things go until we were a week into the NEW month before posting THAT MONTH'S schedule).
I also have the full backing from my 2 leads. Every idea I've bounced off of them regarding management and changes have been met with positivity. Keep in mind, I've worked with both these guys for years, as normal guards, then as all 3 of us as leads, then my Assistant Supervisor position (which was just a Lead on Steroids), and now this.
This is going to be such a learning experience...
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Making sure I have a schedule (or at least a tentative one) posted for my guys by the 20th of each month (That's a big one, as my outgoing supervisor would let things go until we were a week into the NEW month before posting THAT MONTH'S schedule).
Jay, that's a great idea. One thing I learned is NOTHING is more important to people than their schedules. Their lives are budgeted on their hours worked, and they base ALL of their life's activities around their work schedule. Giving them clarity is a great thing.
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I was a hotel general manager for 7 years so here are some things that I found useful.
1. As stated earlier in this thread, LISTS, make them and hold people accountable. I was managing housekeepers/maintenance/front desk staff, everyone had tasks I that I wanted completed.
2. Let everyone know their schedule as far ahead as possible and if possible try to keep it consistent, people want to know when they are working. Hold your employees accountable. Outlook is great for scheduling
3. Be fair and try not to play into employee drama.
4. Ultimately you are the one to answer for your team so hold your team to a high standard
A little personal note; I became a general manager of a staff of 15 at the age of 22 and the biggest mistake is that I tried to be friends with my staff. There is nothing wrong with having a positive work relationship with your employees but in the end keep it as professional as possible. Make sure the job is getting done above all else and make sure to call people out on their bullshit. If you have a great staff and stay organized your job will be much, much easier.
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A little personal note; I became a general manager of a staff of 15 at the age of 22 and the biggest mistake is that I tried to be friends with my staff. There is nothing wrong with having a positive work relationship with your employees but in the end keep it as professional as possible.
Very true. Great advice.
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I'm gonna gather that the work won't vary much from week to week or pay period to pay period. Whatever the time period is, set a fixed plan of what each day should entail. For example, beyond actual cooking, I also have a list of chores that never sway for each week, and each one has a set day that it must get done on.
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I was a hotel general manager for 7 years so here are some things that I found useful.
1. As stated earlier in this thread, LISTS, make them and hold people accountable. I was managing housekeepers/maintenance/front desk staff, everyone had tasks I that I wanted completed.
2. Let everyone know their schedule as far ahead as possible and if possible try to keep it consistent, people want to know when they are working. Hold your employees accountable. Outlook is great for scheduling
3. Be fair and try not to play into employee drama.
4. Ultimately you are the one to answer for your team so hold your team to a high standard
A little personal note; I became a general manager of a staff of 15 at the age of 22 and the biggest mistake is that I tried to be friends with my staff. There is nothing wrong with having a positive work relationship with your employees but in the end keep it as professional as possible. Make sure the job is getting done above all else and make sure to call people out on their bullshit. If you have a great staff and stay organized your job will be much, much easier.
This.
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I recently heard the phrase "Your culture is the worst behavior that you tolerate". I wish I'd have heard that earlier in my career, and been more forceful about drawing some clear lines as opposed to trying to talk someone into being compliant and following the rules...which didn't work. That guy became my first (and hopefully only) termination.
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So I've figured out how to use the calendar and the event alerts on Outlook. I meet with the outgoing supervisor tomorrow for a few hours, and then again on Wednesday for "training". I'd be lying if I said I wasn't starting to get extremely nervous. An email went out to the HOA and Management company (our client) regarding the change. I feel as if I am now officially under the microscope.
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I feel as if I am now officially under the microscope.
Yup. Everyone is looking at you. Your bosses, your people, and your customers.
Be honest and genuine. Remember, there's a big difference between making a suggestion and making a decision. You will have to own the outcome.
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So I've figured out how to use the calendar and the event alerts on Outlook. I meet with the outgoing supervisor tomorrow for a few hours, and then again on Wednesday for "training". I'd be lying if I said I wasn't starting to get extremely nervous. An email went out to the HOA and Management company (our client) regarding the change. I feel as if I am now officially under the microscope.
I think it's perfectly normal to feel nervous - and it's a good thing because it shows you're taking it seriously and want to do well. :)
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Okay. As some of you know from my blabbing in the chat thread, I am getting another promotion. My supervisor put his 2 week notice in, and as of October 1st, I am assuming his role. Here's my issue: I am very unorganized. What tips do any of you have regarding managing people, organization, reheating pizza, etc?
One of my biggest issues is going to be staying on top of EVERYTHING that needs to be done. Basically the only thing that has a definite "Here do this thing by the end of the day" is payroll, everything else, from scheduling, emails, hiring, disciplinary action, training, etc is up to me and how I want to work it. I'm looking for a good android planner / scheduling app to help me out, as I am incredibly forgetful at times. Anyone have any amazing tips? *insert Archer JUST THE TIP joke here*
Don't put pressure on yourself, be confident and believe in yourself. Don't push processes on yourself to try and stay on top of things, find your own way, do your best and trust yourself and allow and trust others below and around you. Being nervous is natural, but don't let it control you.
Be yourself and don't worry about what your staff may think of you. Include them, make them feel valued and create a culture but don't be something you're not, they will see through it and won't respect you. Having your staff respect you and work for you will make your job a hell of a lot smoother and easier.
Another big tip, don't overthink everything and face it as it comes.
I have been a supervisor for about 10 years. It's a hard role, but you can learn a lot about yourself as a person and use the opportunity to grow and develop yourself.
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Know when to recognize the times when No is an acceptable answer (to an employee, or to the client), and when no response is the best option. I still remember to this day (early in my career) an email that a customer sent to me and my boss that (in retrospect) was clearly baiting. I asked him what he was going to do about it. His response "nothing, I deleted it".
It's not always necessary to be "right".
Also, work on the art of letting people have your way.
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Know when to recognize the times when No is an acceptable answer (to an employee, or to the client), and when no response is the best option. I still remember to this day (early in my career) an email that a customer sent to me and my boss that (in retrospect) was clearly baiting. I asked him what he was going to do about it. His response "nothing, I deleted it".
It's not always necessary to be "right".
Also, work on the art of letting people have your way.
Related, you don't always have to give people what they want...but you have to make them feel heard and taken into consideration. Active listening is key here. >80% of the time, someone will be ok with a situation where they were told know, but felt that the other side understood them and showed empathy.
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Here's the thing I always keep in the back of my head: remember all those times you were a junior staffer and blathering on to anyone who would listen about how "management" doesn't know shit about how its' REALLY done, and how you'd have all the answers if they would only give you the chance?
You've now got that chance.
The point is not that now you get to implement all those changes; no, the likelihood is now you're going to see why things were done the way they were done. But always remember that it's still about those people that report to you, and it's (part of) your job to create that bridge.
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So... I had an informal 1 on 1 with our property manager we work for (basically who our company answers to at this account). She's already praising me, talking about how excited she is that I am going to be running things. I think.. I think that is a great sign :lol
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Is she hawt?
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To be quite honest, she is not bad looking. A bit seasoned, but nothing wrong with that. Also... she's got a great rack...
I've already developed a great working relationship over the last 5 years, so she already knows my work ethic, and I already know exactly what to expect from her.
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Sounds like you got everything in the right place for you to succeed, just got to do your thing. Be confident and set a good example for the people under you. You got this.
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Sounds like you got everything in the right place for you to succeed, just got to do your thing. Be confident and set a good example for the people under you. You got this.
Couldn't of said it better myself
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I've dealt with so much bullshit over the last 27 days. The latest being a cut in hours at one of our accounts, which meant I had to let someone know they no longer had a job, as we had no other places to put him. (I also made a phone call to a good friend of mine who happens to be an account manager for another company, and within 2 hours of having to tell him he was cut, I had a job interview lined up for him).
It's been a crazy month, but I received this email in response to something and it made my day:
Great work on this Jeremy.
I know you have been busy with alot of stuff. I really appreciate all you do and I'm very happy to have you as the post supervisor at Seabridge.
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That type of stuff is always great to hear, it sounds like you're busting ass but making some good changes.
Also you're a good dude for getting the guy you had to let go an interview at another place.
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So I might be getting another promotion semi soonish.
My boss has been trying to pick up another account (about the same size as the account I currently run) for a while. He's one step closer to nailing it. If we get it, I'd have to hire a supervisor for that account, and I'd get promoted up to an Area Supervisor to oversee both (technically all 3) accounts in the area.
:JayOctavarium:
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Soooo...what you've described is basically you're being promoted to a role you really aren't sure how to be succesaful with. Welcome to the Peter Principle of the corporate world.
Wherein the selection of a candidate for a position is based on the candidate's performance in their current role, rather than on abilities relevant to the intended role. Thus, employees only stop being promoted once they can no longer perform effectively, and "managers rise to the level of their incompetence". And the company will basically take you from a role where you've obviously proven to be successful, thereby losing your current productivity as well in the process.
Congratulations?
... and good luck.
My best advice...study all you can on servant leadership. That model has proven to get optimum results for highly effective leaders; and find yourself a mentor or someone you can trust to bounce ideas off of, and from whom you can learn from in a honest environment.
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Soooo...what you've described is basically you're being promoted to a role you really aren't sure how to be succesaful with. Welcome to the Peter Principle of the corporate world.
I seem to recall a thread on that recently :lol
(as an aside, I always thought "the Peter Principle" sounded like the punchline of a dirty joke)
Whenever you get promoted, remember that you've been promoted to do the new job, not the new job AND your old job...and don;t assume that what made you successful in the old role means you will be successful in the new one. Each new responsibility means new skills and new areas of focus.
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My best advice...study all you can on servant leadership. That model has proven to get optimum results for highly effective leaders; and find yourself a mentor or someone you can trust to bounce ideas off of, and from whom you can learn from in a honest environment.
At this point, that has been my boss. He's really taken me under his wing. I'm also going to start bouncing ideas off of a guy who just got promoted up to an Account Manager from Area Supervisor. I guess technically he's also my boss, but he doesn't really get involved in my account as much as he does others.
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Super late and reading through, but I wanted to say the EB's first response is what I'd recommend. Nothing beats a hand written list, at least for me.
EDIT: Seems I'm even later than I thought. :facepalm:
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Super late and reading through, but I wanted to say the EB's first response is what I'd recommend. Nothing beats a hand written list, at least for me.
EDIT: Seems I'm even later than I thought. :facepalm:
I'm gonna have to write you up for that. Tardiness is not acceptable.
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(https://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/550x700q90/922/V11GtX.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/f/pmV11GtXj)
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:lol My boss would love to have that
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There's also talk of taking me off of guard duty all together and putting me in an admin office on the property to just handle admin bullshit.
As it is right now, I spend my day in the front office, doing my admin shit, as well as the regular guard shit. It's getting to the point where I have no time to deal with the regular day to day bullshit as well as everything else.
That would be interesting, and a cool first step towards an area supervisor gig.
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You seem to do a lot of shit. Literally.
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Yeah, no shit.
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So I am not a strait up manager on paper or anything, but I do have to oversee technicians and make sure medications get up to the floors and that work flow continues.
But anyway, here goes todays story. Patient is in the ER and has a GI bleed and is ordered a drip. Now is this like a super stat med where if they don't have it immediately do they die? No, but I personally think its bullshit if a patient is bleeding internally should have to wait longer than they need to, but the IV room technician really doesn't give a shit, and it infuriates me.
I print the label and tell the "counter" tech to go give it to IV tech and she does. So like 15 mins goes by and I figure its done so I get up to go get it and there's the god damn IV tech not even in the IV room, leaning against the counter sipping her coffee and shooting the shit with a co-worker. She didn't even start yet...
Now I need to say that I need to watch my ass with these people, because they will go to HR in heartbeat, so I politely say "hey, did you happen to see the label for the drip?" and she gives me this dirty look and with an attitude goes "yeah, I saw it". I was was pissed, but you have to swallow it at my job, or you will be at HR real fast.
It drives me crazy. Its not like we work at Kmart. Its a god damn hospital. Things need to get done when they need to get done so do your fucking job.
TL:DR I hate having to manage lazy, complacent and entitled people.
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Fuck them. As long as you remain professional, the goal is the patient care. So they go to HR and say you were upset because they were shooting the shit instead of taking care of the patient. Let 'em.
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I don't know; I'm not a doctor, and I don't even play one on TV, but I feel like even if it isn't life or death, your coffee will wait while that person lies in bed bleeding from their intestines wondering if they're going to die or not. The medicine may not save their life, but it may give them some mental comfort that someone cares about them, and it'll ultimately be ok.
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There's also talk of taking me off of guard duty all together and putting me in an admin office on the property to just handle admin bullshit.
As someone who spent 7 years running a hotel which included cleaning pools, doing renovations, covering shifts my dummy employees wouldn't show up for I say do it. I have a desk job and it's the best. I also have a great sense of what it is like putting in back to back to back to back 12 hour days that it makes me appreciate my desk job that much more.
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So I am not a strait up manager on paper or anything, but I do have to oversee technicians and make sure medications get up to the floors and that work flow continues.
But anyway, here goes todays story. Patient is in the ER and has a GI bleed and is ordered a drip. Now is this like a super stat med where if they don't have it immediately do they die? No, but I personally think its bullshit if a patient is bleeding internally should have to wait longer than they need to, but the IV room technician really doesn't give a shit, and it infuriates me.
I print the label and tell the "counter" tech to go give it to IV tech and she does. So like 15 mins goes by and I figure its done so I get up to go get it and there's the god damn IV tech not even in the IV room, leaning against the counter sipping her coffee and shooting the shit with a co-worker. She didn't even start yet...
Now I need to say that I need to watch my ass with these people, because they will go to HR in heartbeat, so I politely say "hey, did you happen to see the label for the drip?" and she gives me this dirty look and with an attitude goes "yeah, I saw it". I was was pissed, but you have to swallow it at my job, or you will be at HR real fast.
It drives me crazy. Its not like we work at Kmart. Its a god damn hospital. Things need to get done when they need to get done so do your fucking job.
TL:DR I hate having to manage lazy, complacent and entitled people.
The sad reality is, these sorts of people come around more and more as time goes on. I hate dealing with them too. Fucking scum. The ones I deal with are casual, so if they are smartass, lazy fuckers, luckily I can fuck them off. I don't take shit.
These sorts of people you are dealing with in your field is not on. DO your job as Tim said and remain professional and they can go fuck themselves.
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:bump:
So one thing I wanted to do when I took over was to cut Overtime given out.
Before I took over, my account averaged like 50+ hours of Overtime a pay period (approx 15 days per pay period).
Last pay period we were at 31.
Working on payroll for this pay period and I show 9.5.
I think I am earning my keep! :JayOctavarium:
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:bump:
So one thing I wanted to do when I took over was to cut Overtime given out.
Before I took over, my account averaged like 50+ hours of Overtime a pay period (approx 15 days per pay period).
Last pay period we were at 31.
Working on payroll for this pay period and I show 9.5.
I think I am earning my keep! :JayOctavarium:
People abuse overtime. Overtime can get out of control if a manager is not managing. Overtime is useful and needed at times, but yeah, staff will surely taken advantage of it. 50+ is definitely too much so 9.5 seems like a reasonable amount.