10 Ways to Become an Inspiring Manager
28 January 2015
Read by 4560 persons
Beyond technical skills, being a manager requires calmness, composure, discernment, and mindfulness. The extent of responsibilities requires a coherent approach, meaningful actions, and the ability to offer a long-term vision: in short, managerial wisdom and courage!
This approach is difficult to maintain in a world governed by urgency, pressure from objectives, and short-term results. How can wisdom take its place in business and become the asset of tomorrow's managers?
The world slowly moves towards wisdom
A child is said to be wise when they are docile, sometimes submissive; when they refrain from answering authority; when they are obedient and execute orders without question.
An old person is said to be wise when they are educated and full of common sense; when they are free and do as they please; when they are independent, authentic; when they no longer seek to please... When they have found their true nature and the meaning of life.
But when can we say that a manager is wise? Does wisdom have a place in business? Can it coexist with leadership and performance? If so, what does it consist of?
Towards applied wisdom?
The world slowly moves towards wisdom, Voltaire tells us. So, this quality so sought after by happiness seekers worldwide would be found in slowness? How can one be slow in a world where we only talk about reactivity, speed, and speed meetings?
If today multinationals like Google and Silicon Valley companies train their managers in meditation, mindfulness, and open their doors to spiritual masters, it is because they have understood that there is such a thing as applied wisdom.
When I observe managerial dysfunctions, I hear the same old tunes: "my manager has no vision"; "it lacks meaning"; "no coherent long-term perspective"; "we have lost the human touch"; "we are asked to work on a file that will never see the light of day"; "our leaders don't set an example". All these criticisms have in common that they allude to one of the most honorable human qualities: wisdom.
One can impose one's power through authority built on fear. Not only does this form of management bring no results in the long term, but also, the manager derives no benefit from this outdated authority.
10 ways to become an inspiring manager
What are the precious qualities that Eastern, Tibetan, Greek, or Indian sages speak of that would make an ordinary man a wise man? Without being exhaustive, here are 10 ways, as many qualities to develop to become an inspiring manager.
Discernment: The wise person is lucid. They do not always act, carried away by their emotions. They have a systemic view of the world. They do not just try to go higher and faster; they check that the direction they are taking is the right one. That it is based on ethical and responsible values.
Courage: The wise manager is a courageous individual. They know how to make decisions that are close to their hearts and stick to them. They take risks and consider failure as a component of success and not as a sword of Damocles to be avoided at all costs.
Authenticity: The man or woman inspired by wisdom does not cheat. They show themselves openly and take responsibility for their decisions. They do not secretly plot little scams, are neither consensual nor false. They assume the values they hold. This does not prevent their discretion and delicacy. This manager communicates with frankness and honesty.
Generosity: Without heart, there is no wisdom! And this generosity is not a superficial politeness; but an ability to consider the other with as much benevolence as they consider themselves. Because benevolence is a fundamental component of tomorrow's management.
Equity: The wise manager is equitable. They are just. They may favor one option or another; but they guarantee in their service a spirit of sharing, balance, and moral honesty. This quality inspires and commands respect.
Patience: Patience is the art of the samurai. Zen masters are unparalleled negotiators because they have time for themselves. A wise person is patient. They know that everything comes to those who know how to wait and that there is no point in pulling on the head of a flower to make it grow faster. This patience given to the right action is the mark of great leaders.
Humility: In a dojo, the highest-ranking person is the one who bows the most. They are at the service of those with lower rank. A manager should always have the wisdom to bow their head. Because they know that their greatness and power are not a matter of ego or pride, but of inner strength based on competence and know-how.
Sobriety: In a world of overbidding, sobriety is the quality of the wise. This sobriety has nothing to do with deprivation or smallness. It is on this voluntary sobriety that monastic communities have relied for centuries to maintain harmony and constancy within them.
Congruence: It is not by advising their collaborators to adopt these qualities that the manager will gain respect. But by being congruent. By embodying the qualities they encourage themselves. This manager becomes for their collaborators and loved ones, an authentic source of inspiration.
Wisdom is a learning process. It is by questioning oneself, by opening oneself to other experiences, by being curious and open that one can integrate this beautiful quality into our daily managerial life.
Arnaud Riou, Trainer, Coach and Speaker.
Etre-bien-au-travail.fr
Posted on January 28, 2015.
This approach is difficult to maintain in a world governed by urgency, pressure from objectives, and short-term results. How can wisdom take its place in business and become the asset of tomorrow's managers?
The world slowly moves towards wisdom
A child is said to be wise when they are docile, sometimes submissive; when they refrain from answering authority; when they are obedient and execute orders without question.
An old person is said to be wise when they are educated and full of common sense; when they are free and do as they please; when they are independent, authentic; when they no longer seek to please... When they have found their true nature and the meaning of life.
But when can we say that a manager is wise? Does wisdom have a place in business? Can it coexist with leadership and performance? If so, what does it consist of?
Towards applied wisdom?
The world slowly moves towards wisdom, Voltaire tells us. So, this quality so sought after by happiness seekers worldwide would be found in slowness? How can one be slow in a world where we only talk about reactivity, speed, and speed meetings?
If today multinationals like Google and Silicon Valley companies train their managers in meditation, mindfulness, and open their doors to spiritual masters, it is because they have understood that there is such a thing as applied wisdom.
When I observe managerial dysfunctions, I hear the same old tunes: "my manager has no vision"; "it lacks meaning"; "no coherent long-term perspective"; "we have lost the human touch"; "we are asked to work on a file that will never see the light of day"; "our leaders don't set an example". All these criticisms have in common that they allude to one of the most honorable human qualities: wisdom.
One can impose one's power through authority built on fear. Not only does this form of management bring no results in the long term, but also, the manager derives no benefit from this outdated authority.
10 ways to become an inspiring manager
What are the precious qualities that Eastern, Tibetan, Greek, or Indian sages speak of that would make an ordinary man a wise man? Without being exhaustive, here are 10 ways, as many qualities to develop to become an inspiring manager.
Discernment: The wise person is lucid. They do not always act, carried away by their emotions. They have a systemic view of the world. They do not just try to go higher and faster; they check that the direction they are taking is the right one. That it is based on ethical and responsible values.
Courage: The wise manager is a courageous individual. They know how to make decisions that are close to their hearts and stick to them. They take risks and consider failure as a component of success and not as a sword of Damocles to be avoided at all costs.
Authenticity: The man or woman inspired by wisdom does not cheat. They show themselves openly and take responsibility for their decisions. They do not secretly plot little scams, are neither consensual nor false. They assume the values they hold. This does not prevent their discretion and delicacy. This manager communicates with frankness and honesty.
Generosity: Without heart, there is no wisdom! And this generosity is not a superficial politeness; but an ability to consider the other with as much benevolence as they consider themselves. Because benevolence is a fundamental component of tomorrow's management.
Equity: The wise manager is equitable. They are just. They may favor one option or another; but they guarantee in their service a spirit of sharing, balance, and moral honesty. This quality inspires and commands respect.
Patience: Patience is the art of the samurai. Zen masters are unparalleled negotiators because they have time for themselves. A wise person is patient. They know that everything comes to those who know how to wait and that there is no point in pulling on the head of a flower to make it grow faster. This patience given to the right action is the mark of great leaders.
Humility: In a dojo, the highest-ranking person is the one who bows the most. They are at the service of those with lower rank. A manager should always have the wisdom to bow their head. Because they know that their greatness and power are not a matter of ego or pride, but of inner strength based on competence and know-how.
Sobriety: In a world of overbidding, sobriety is the quality of the wise. This sobriety has nothing to do with deprivation or smallness. It is on this voluntary sobriety that monastic communities have relied for centuries to maintain harmony and constancy within them.
Congruence: It is not by advising their collaborators to adopt these qualities that the manager will gain respect. But by being congruent. By embodying the qualities they encourage themselves. This manager becomes for their collaborators and loved ones, an authentic source of inspiration.
Wisdom is a learning process. It is by questioning oneself, by opening oneself to other experiences, by being curious and open that one can integrate this beautiful quality into our daily managerial life.
Arnaud Riou, Trainer, Coach and Speaker.
Etre-bien-au-travail.fr
Posted on January 28, 2015.
