Chapter 19. Get the Best Resources for Your Team

If your team is a tool you use to get greater glory for little ol’ you, then the resources your team uses are the tools it needs to carry it—and thus you—onward and forward. Too many managers think that by cutting their team’s resources they are earning some sort of brownie points to be stored up—and used in what? Heaven? I don’t think so. You have to get the best resources for your team. By depriving the team you are depriving it also of the chance to shine, to propel you to greater glory.

I know of a lot of managers who say, “Oh, they can manage for a few more years with Windows Vista.” Or “They’d probably just play games all day with a new iPhone; I can save a buck or two if I hold off for a bit.” I have even heard, “I try to keep a short rein on what they need in case it gets out of hand.”

For heaven’s sake. Get your team the best, the very, very best, and then let it get on with its job—which is to make you look good.

If your people need technology—get it for them even if you have to move heaven and earth. If they need more staff, paper stuff, bigger and better machines, higher quality tools—go get ’em. Whatever it is they need to get their job done slicker, quicker, better, bigger, faster, more productively, cheaper, whatever—go get it. If you have to argue, sweat blood, plead, beg, or bust a budget or two—do it. Do it now.

You simply can’t expect your team to a) give of their best or b) be motivated, if you fail them. They will talk to other people you know: colleagues in the same organization, friends in other organizations. They will know when they are being short-changed and they will resent it, resent you, and work less effectively. As a result, you will fail to shine. Ipso facto—go get them the best you can.