Function Three: To Motivate

The crowd roars in the background and stadium lights flood the field. The smell of freshly cut grass mingles with popcorn and dogs. An announcer calls out the first batter’s name in muffled tones and eager anticipation fills the stands. The batter crosses in front of the dugout to home plate, accompanied by cheers and jeers. Wringing the bat in his hands, tightening his grip, he checks his stance and settles his feet. He brings the bat back with the full intent of achieving his team’s goal – to win.

Everything up until the swing is planning. The actual crack as the bat makes contact with the ball is organization in action. This connection moves to action – action which is motivation and direction. The run to first base paves the way for the next batter and moves the team forward, each act brought about by the organized plan. The coach sits and views all this with a watchful eye making adjustments as needed or encourages passionate play to continue. Direction is necessary to maintain organization and pursue victory.

Evaluating each play and each player is the job of the manager. Was that the right next step? Is he in the right position? The coach and manager must communicate and supervise. Sharing concerns with the team must be coordinated and constructive in order for it to have impact and value. Whether you are a sole proprietor, only recruiter, part of a team, or managing the team, directing and leading from within – the 360° Leader – sees needs and defines action. Through example and motivation, goals are chased with zeal and are within grasp.

Leadership finds its way to the center, whatever role is held. The leader, the manager, the director, or the motivator are the lead-off batters, clearing a path and holding the torch, not only for visibility and clarity but to pass on when the time is right. The control of resources plus focus are imperative in the game – keep your eye on the ball. And players have to reach – motivation pushes employees to reach. Don’t wait for the ball to come to you, go to it. Meet it head on.

As the team moves through practices and takes the field for the big game, a level of trust must be in place. The relationships among employees, the amity held with clients, hiring managers, or candidates must reflect the commitment brought to each game. The game plan reveals the barriers early on, they are surmountable. The playing of the game displays shortcomings, they can be rectified. The desire to win, the direction taken to make it so, comes from within and it is achievable.

“My motto was always to keep swinging. Whether I was in a slump or feeling badly or having trouble off the field, the only thing to do was keep swinging.” ~Hank Aaron

by rayannethorn

The Old-Fashioned Tech of Management

There are several different processes of management, but four key functions that  provide for the whole  have been identified as Planning, Organizing, Motivating, and Controlling.   Whether you work a for-profit or non-profit, these four elements are imperative to ensure smooth operation and for the goals of any organization to be met.

PLANNING ~First and foremost, management must make a plan.  Setting goals is an invaluable task that must be done to establish order within a department or organization.  Planning is the base function and foundation for management.  Planning requires looking into and understanding the present state of the company or department and deciding where you want the company or department to be.  Once the desired future has been determined, strategic planning must take place in order to get to where the company to that future.

Planning is a never-ending story.  The minute planning ceases, the company or department will begin to deteriorate.  Internal and external factors must be considered when planning is on the table.  There will be times that long-term planning must take the back seat when short-term planning becomes a necessity or even an emergency.

ORGANIZE  ~Once plans have been made and are ready to be implemented, organization comes into play.  It is impossible to organize until plans have been set; once set, then organization has purpose.  Organization combines the resources available to the team or company.  These resources might include money, talent, technology, and tools.  The compilation of these resources is the most efficient way of accomplishing company and/or departmental goals.  Management will systemize the division of labor and resources, as well as determine where authority and responsibility lie once organizational efforts have been established.  Organization is the next logical step when planning has reached a certain point.  Being that planning never ceases, it can be logically be assumed that organization is an ongoing task, as well.

MOTIVATING  ~Once planning has been established and organization has begun, motivation becomes necessary to carry out said plans and maintain the established organization.  Motivating (or directing) is also necessary in order to determine where each company or team member should dwell within the organizational confines.  Motivation plays a significant part in influencing how each organizational or departmental goal is to be reached.  Included in this process is open communication and supervision. 

Building relationships of trust and camaraderie will aid in the efforts of management in leading the company and/or department to success.  This can be achieved through communication – supervisors communicating with employees, and executives communicating with supervisors, co-workers to co-workers, team members to team members.  These are all part of the motivating/directing function.

CONTROLLING  ~Controlling involves evaluating the efforts of the organization in goal achievement.  Providing feedback from every corner plus follow-up and follow-thru to evaluate progress and achievement.  Cross-functional team meetings and departmental gatherings allow for comment and response or in determining when a change of course is necessary.

This function allows for resolution and change that is compulsory.  Through this process, predictors are in place and crisis can be prevented and/or averted.  This is a continuous process in that the company and department will forever need to be challenged, controlled, and managed.

Reach goals and attain success through faithful participation in a management process.