The Role of General Manager: Not for the Faint of Heart
If you believed that being a general manager meant lounging around and just giving orders, you've missed the mark by a country mile, my friend! General managers, particularly in small to medium-sized enterprises, frequently find themselves juggling many balls at once—and no, we're not talking about an exciting career change to circus juggler!
The Many Hats of a General Manager
Becoming a general manager is as close as one can get to wearing all the hats, and I mean all of them. From overseeing day-to-day operations, marketing strategies, and financial oversight to team management, you are the confluence where all decisions meet. But fear not, with great power definitely comes great responsibility – and ticks on the bucket list of experience!
Decoding the Managerial Puzzle
The balancing act is a real head-scratcher. Think of it as answering “Which came first, the chicken or the egg?”—you’re not quite sure, and everyone has a potentially correct but different view. According to a study published in the Harvard Business Review, managers often struggle with prioritizing the various aspects of their roles due to a lack of time and conflicting responsibilities.
Leveraging Technology and Tools
Stepping into the boxing ring unarmed just doesn’t make sense, does it? Use your arsenal - technology. From project management software like Asana or Monday.com to communication channels like Slack, and financial management applications like Quickbooks, these can be your virtual “super suit”. Saving time and optimizing your efficiency is what these tools deliver. It’s like having the powers of Superman without worrying about Kryptonite!
People Management Skills
Wise words from Richard Branson, “Train people well enough so they can leave. Treat them well enough so they don’t.” Your team is your biggest asset. Feedback is the breakfast of champions, as Ken Blanchard puts it, and as a GM, your job is to make sure your team is consistently learning and growing. Implement ice-breaking sessions, team-building activities, and maintain open lines of communication. It’s time to bring your inner Oprah to the table!
By incorporating these suggestions, surviving the Hurricane of Tasks as a General Manager in a small to medium-sized company isn’t as impossible as it sounds. So suit up, step up, and remember, as Hellen Keller famously said, 'Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much.'
