"...I drank what?"

[serinde]

I'm realizing that being a manager seems to chiefly consist of "run around after other people and yell at them (however nicely) until they give you the info you need".

I can do it fine with people who are under me, because that is the natural order; but it seems that, much of the time, one has to chase after people who do NOT answer to one. This is not, to put it mildly, my strong point.

It's probably going to be good for me, but... wah.

Comments

[sweh.livejournal.com]

A manager moans at the people under them.

A "lead" of any form (eg technical lead, project lead, project manager, whatever) has to chase other teams to get the information/data/setup/whatever that is needed for the project. I have to do that (including kicking and beating up people higher up the manglement chain than me). Don't like it, at all.

[spride.livejournal.com]

I've said it before: Manager Tools podcasts (http://www.manager-tools.com/) are great for practical advice about this sort of stuff. Dealing with others sideways and upwards is a key skill for a manager, just as much as managing downwards is. The key to successful outcomes with your peers and superiors is the same as with your directs: strong relationships. Of course you can't make this happen overnight, which is why it takes time to be effective, but every interaction you have with them can be used to build relationships. Finding common grounds, working out what communication style works with them, trying to see what motivates them (positively and negatively) and so on. The more time you put into this, the more it pays off in terms of influence and things they will do when you ask.

[nancaurelia.livejournal.com]

Are these people above you in a direct line, or just at a higher level somewhere else in the org? For the latter, I usually just send an e-mail. If they don't reply, I forward it with a reminder that I'm still waiting for a reply. The 3rd time I copy the person they report to, and oh so innocently add, "Are you the appropriate contact for this?" Works like a charm most of the time w/ no angst.