It seems to me that we had similar challenges facing us during the
recession (felt like a depression) of the early 70's when companies were
"cutting & slashing" (I don't remember the term "down-sizing" being used
then) their workforce. Managers were an endangered species in many
industries. During the aftermath, as people in organizations tried
desperately to generate activity, a management practice that became the
vogue for awhile was introduced. It was called "monkey management."
The key to monkey management, as I recall, was the realization that all of
us tend to generate activities (busy work) that simply cannot and should
not be resourced. These "monkeys" need attending (they want to be "fed").
So, the smart option is to pass them along to someone else, kill them or
starve them. Passing monkeys (especially to one's superiors) is the
highest of organizational arts. Starving monkeys (just sitting on a
tasker until it goes away or until a reminder of it's importance) is a
passive way of resisting (which works). Killing them means you just
eliminate them completely--from your inbox, your files and your mind--by
throwing it away (or hitting the delete button on your e-mail).
The essential piece of eliminating work is really this (IMHO):
Choose the work to do that is possible, meaningful and purposeful (to your
organization, your boss and yourself). My rules for eliminating work--
(1) Will my elimination of this work result in loss of life or injury? If
yes...this is a priority and it requires immediate attention. If no, go
to question 2.
(2) Will my elimination of this work result in substantial loss of
property or money? If yes...this is a priority and it requires immediate
attention. If no, go to question 3.
(3) Will my elimination of this work result in significant deterioration
of the operation or progress towards our goals. If yes...don't eliminate.
Do it or delegate it and make sure it gets done (remembering that it's
only a priority 3). If no...throw it away (or pass it along to your
boss...or someone you don't like). (-:
regards,
Doc
-- "Love your calling with passion. It is the meaning of life." -Auguste RodinThresholds <http://www.thresholds.com> Meeting Masters <http://www.thresholds.com/masters.html> Richard Charles Holloway - P.O. Box 641, Long Beach, WA 98631 Voice 360.642.8487 ICQ# 10849650
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