Question:
How can I keep staff productive while I am away?
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Answer:
Whether it’s a budget meeting you have to go to or an out-of-town conference, there are a few things you need to do to make sure your staff remains on-task while you are away.
Your first responsibility is to clearly set expectations of what needs to be done in your absence—not only with the employees, but with the management as well. Where we often mess up is when an employee doesn’t realize they report to a co-worker, and that manager or co-worker doesn’t realize they are responsible for the work of the subordinate. You’ll get arguments like, “Well, you’re not the boss of me.” The lines of authority need to be clear.
One thing you can do to ensure good communication is to meet with your staff prior to departure and use peer pressure in a positive way. Your message breaks through more if a peer coaches, counsels and corrects fellow employees. Use those informal leaders to your advantage without usurping the authority of their manager. You don’t want employees to call you if a circuit blows. But if something serious happens, you want to know.
This should be happening every day, not just when you are away from the office. Yes, you need to walk the floors and see what’s happening, but you are not a babysitter. Empower your employees to give them confidence.
—Lynne Eddy
Associate Professor, Business Management
The Culinary Institute of America