The_Essential_Manager_s_Handbook

GROWING WITH YOUR ROLE / 95

Devolution

As the organization continues to grow,

you may become part of a high-level

leadership team directing strategy and

coordination, while a group of managers

in business units lead teams on a

devolved basis.

You need to become a strong

communicator because a significant

part of your role is resolving tensions

between devolved units and the center.

You need to manage relationships to

ensure that all parts of the organization

work collaboratively and are fully

committed to the overall strategy.

Bear in mind the development of future

leaders is essential to the long-term

survival of the organization and is

another one of your new responsibilities.

Continued growth

The next organizational transition occurs

when you realize that you can no longer

control everything—there are simply not

enough hours in the day. You may notice

that team members are complaining

about how long it takes for decisions

to be made. They may ask for greater

freedom to make their own decisions.

At this point, you should begin

to recognize the need to delegate—

essential if you are to retain and develop

staff. You should put more of your

time and effort into leadership and

communication and less into your

original expertise—for example,

accounting, sales, marketing,

engineering, or operations.

You should be putting

increasing amounts

of your time and effort

into leadership

and communication

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