business

A Note

Standard

There was a shooting at Valley Fair Mall yesterday. Today, the mall is back open and people aback looking to shop, find deals, and conduct business as usual. But for those who work here that may not be the case. We may still smile at you and look to tend to your wants and needs. We may seem fine and unaffected but underneath we are hurting. Our home was violated by violence. 

Just as anyone who has a job and works from a separate location from where they live, our jobs become like a second home. Some of us spend more time at work than we may do at our actual homes. And for those of us who work in a mall we are all part of the same home. Regardless of what company we work for we all call the mall our second home. This connects us all. So when something happens in one part of the mall it affects us all. The violence that struck last night shook this mall to its core.t as anyone who has a job and works from a separate location from where they live, our jobs become like a second home. Some of us spend more time at work than we may do at our actual homes. And for those of us who work in a mall we are all part of the same home. Regardless of what company we work for we all call the mall our second home. This connects us all. So when something happens in one part of the mall it affects us all. The violence that struck last night shook this mall to it’s core It made home feel unsafe for many. Some may have stayed away but many other came in same as always due to any amount of factors including needing to get paid, loyalty to their work, or potentially being told they have to report. Either way, they have been affected by this violation of violence. 

So all in all my ask for anyone going to Valley Fair Mall, or really any mall is to practice patience and empathy. Barring that, at least some sympathy for those of us who are here tending your wants and needs. We went through a trauma yesterday and we may not be “ok”. 

Advice for New Managers From An Old One

Standard

I have worked in a few different fields and have come across similarities regardless of what the work or purpose was. One of the most common issues I have come across is companies and more importantly the upper level managers of those companies promoting people into management positions and then not giving them proper training in how to truly manage. Sure they may have shown promise as parts of the team but unless you have been in a leadership position you do not really know what it means to lead. The saddest part is that most of the time these new managers have to learn the toughest lessons the hard way. This can lead to burn out, breakdowns, quitting and or possibly termination. So I have decided to pass on a few of my rules to being a successful manager earned very much the hard way. They are in no particular order. Hope they help.

1. Take ownership for what you manage.
– Take responsibility for any problems and share credit with those you lead for all successes. This will help garner trust in those you lead and faith in those you answer to.

2. Know how and when to delegate.
– Just because you can do everything does not mean you should. Delegating to those beneath you accomplishes many positive things. For you, the manager, it spreads the work load saving you from fatigue and burn out. For your team it is even more important. It shows your trust and empowers your team to improve and succeed. It is vital to team building.

3. Being a manager means never having to say you are sorry.
– Instead of apologizing take responsibility for whatever has gone wrong and make a plan to either rectify the situation or if unable to do that move forward to the most positive of outcomes. Apologizing makes you look weak and a manager should always appear confident to inspire those around them.

4. Never say “I don”t know.”
– Know your business. You were promoted for a reason. If asked a tough question take your time to consider it. Do not rush into a poor answer. After consideration come up with the best educated guess as possible. If it is wrong it still shows you are thinking while giving your superior the opportunity to teach you something.

5. Never ask your supervisor what to do?
– Upper level managers do not want to do your thinking for you. It is why they promoted you. Instead of asking what to do come up with a plan to deal with the problem. Then present your plan to your superior to give them the opportunity to either approve your plan or make necessary adjustments they deem fit. Have confidence in your own judgment but keep your superior in the loop so that you give them no surprises. They will appreciate the initiative as well as the respect to their position.

Feel free to comment if you would like any clarification. Otherwise hopefully this proves helpful to some of you out there.

Nullus Anxietas