Chapter 63. See the Forest and the Trees

You’ve got to see the big picture. It’s no good concentrating solely on what you do or what your department does. You can’t even keep your gaze limited to what your organization does, or even what your industry does. You’ve got to see the wider view all the time. The good manager—that’s you^*—needs to have a good grasp of politics—both national and world—social history, world events, national intentions, international concerns, the environment, current legislation, proposed legislation^** and technological developments (ones that may or may not affect your industry).

^* I keep saying, “That’s you.” You may wonder how I know. Because you are reading this. Bad managers think they know it all. You are prepared to read, to learn, to seek the advice of others, to widen your horizons, to have opinions, to stay abreast of current and new ideas and to keep an open mind by reading this far. That’s good. You are good. Well done you.

^** No, not just legislation that affects your industry but all big proposed legislation. You’d be surprised how often the “domino” effect affects you.

But you’ve also got to keep a close watch on what is going on under your nose—your team, your department, your immediate surroundings, the fine details as well as the big picture.

And how are you going to find the time to think about these things? To reflect, to analyze, to anticipate? You’re going to schedule it on your calender, that’s how. That’s what proper grown-up managers do. And if you want to be a talented senior manager, you need to recognize the importance of giving yourself space to think. Sometimes you get the opportunity when you’re traveling. (But make sure you deliberately allocate the time, and use it wisely.) Sometimes you have to block out an hour or two in your calendar and make sure you’re not disturbed. Call it “planning time” if anyone asks—unless they’re a successful manager themselves, in which case they’ll understand.

The bright manager has to keep their eyes and ears open, their wits about them, their mind open to new ideas and innovations and trends. You’ve got to see the trees and the forest.