When you became store manager, you knew the job. You maybe knew the people and store. You were aware of the processes and procedures; unless you were hired from outside the company. And I hope you knew retail. What many managers don’t necessarily know is the scope and intensity of the job regarding those things and everything else that happens. The “everything else” is managing and leading a diverse team, dealing with unrealistic customer expectations, experiencing a whole new type of reaction to accountability, new levels of supervision and how time changes. Time you spend in the store…it changes.
Our final part in this series is Balance. While this is an easily defined word which everyone immediately understands, it is the hardest to achieve by most managers. Therefore, I believe I have saved the most difficult for last.
How often have you taken over more than one shift or had to come in on your day off for one reason or another? How many hours do you actually work? How many you have difficulty taking vacation or even a day off for what might happen? You are required to be gone for two days of training, and what is your first reaction? Life versus work; three things…
What makes you “you”? We touched on this in part two “keeping it real”. It asked the questions about the type of person you are both inside and outside the workplace. What do you like to do when you are at home and is that different when you are the store manager. My advice was to be genuine and authentic regardless of environment. Consider these questions:
What things give you energy when on the job and not on the job?
What things sap your energy when on the job and not on the job?
What things do you want to achieve on the job and outside the job?
What makes up your day? How does it flow? I bet even if you have a “to do” list, it changes. News flash, it will always change. There will always be something that is unplanned. Life is unscripted and you have to assess your ability to think on your feet. Think about this, what represents your low, medium and high priorities? I bet your list would be mostly high. I do this exercise in my workshop and there are very few if any low ones. That is a problem. Do you know what the word delegation means? Some of you are task hoarders. You do things you shouldn’t have to because you can do it faster, better and without difficulty. You would do it rather than give it away because you are ultimately responsible for it. Who do you think sees that? Are you aware of the consequences? This is also a problem. Then there are those things which are mission critical. To not do these would have a hugely negative impact on the business. How much time and effort do you give these few things or is everything critical? If you are in my workshop, we explore if you really know the meaning of this. Google the Pareto Principle.
How do you deal with stress? The workplace today is not just stressful, it is involves degrees of stress with a multitude of reasons, understanding, expression and ways to deal with it. The first step is to realize the following statement: Stress is unavoidable. Stress in our non-work environment can easily invade the workplace. Then there is the inevitable stress within the workplace. Therefore, our goal as manager and leader must be to be better equipped to embrace and work with either and know the choice lies within us in how we deal with it. Here are some thoughts:
COPE with your tasks. First know your tasks. I have stated this time and time again. Also, be realistic. Because there are variables in the business and with your teams, adopt a flexible and improvisational mindset. Lastly, strive to keep solid the boundaries between your work and personal life.
ORGANIZE your time. Most importantly, control what you control. And while it is perfectly fine to plan your day and make a “to-do” list, know what is essential and critical and what could just happen. Also know what you can delegate…then delegate it. The secret to delegation is train, follow-up, trust and do not take it back.
NURTURE your self. OK, this may sound a bit “tree huggy”. It still represents a disciplined aspect of creating or maintaining balance as a manager. Things like sharing thoughts, finding humor, striving to be healthy in body, mind and spirit, taking breaks, saying ‘no’ sometimes and not relying on a dependency or addiction to take the edge off.
Listen, I get it, the job can be a distraction in our life or vice-versa. You love this one thing, planned to do it and then you have to go into work. Everything seems to happen at once, despite planning. Dude, I am stressed out. You will not solve this by simply reading this post. It starts with you and the battle you need to win in creating balance. Remember, every journey starts with one, first step. What is your destination?
Cheers