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49. Know when to kick the door shut

"No other technique for the conduct of life attaches the individual so firmly to reality as lay­ing emphasis on work; for their work at least gives them a secure place in the human commu­nity" Sigmund Freud

Keeping an open-door policy as a manager is a basically good idea, but there comes a time when you have to know it is time to kick the door shut so that you can:

get on with some work

have a meeting in private

* let your team know you don't want to be disturbed

* let the team know you really are the boss and not really one of them at all.

Obviously a good manager such as yourself likes to have an open-door policy so that the staff have access to you when and as they need. But there are times when it is necessary physically and psychologically to create a barrier. You see, the real secret of good management is that no matter how chummy you are with the team there comes a time when it is essential that you are actually the boss.

Ruling by democracy is all very well; meetings and committees are fine; joint discussions are rewarding. But when push conies to shove you have to be prepared to carry the can and that means you have to fly by the seat of your pants, make the tough calls and be the boss. And occasionally shutting the door reinforces that. You don't have to be a cruel or harsh or dictatorial boss, but a boss you must be.

If you are one of those managers who finds it hard to be assertive or 'bossy', I suggest you practise kicking the door shut. It is a deeply symbolic gesture about who controls your environment -you. Do it a few times and the team will get the message. Once you've got used to it you can control who sits down in your office and how long they stay It is essential for employees to take you seriously, for you to stamp your authority on the situation. Kicking the door shut symbolizes you are the manager - and this is a good thing, believe me. Oh, and it'll also mean you get some work done without interruption. Just don't do it too often -nothing is more frustrating than a boss who is never available.

50. Fill your time productively and profitably

"Dance like there's no one watching; sing like there's no one listening; love like you've never been hurt." Professor William Purkey, University of North Carolina

"And work like you haven't got a boss - and don't need the money." Richard Templar

Once you've learnt to kick the door shut you'll find yourself alone in an empty office. But to be the really great and effective manager you are, and are going to be, you don't coast or cruise. You get your head down and get the work done. And you get it done fast and effectively and efficiently Then you do some work on your long-term goals, your game plan and your business education (don't stand still - read something).

Working hard when you're not being encouraged with an electric cattle prod is a bit like working for yourself. You have to be motivated, dedicated and focused. It takes practice and training. We all like to goof off. And that's fine every now and then. We all need thinking time, down time. It is important though not to overdo it. Don't let the time bandits come in and steal a whole day

Set little deadlines. Make short lists so you can cross off lots and feel good about what you've done. Get loads of fresh air, or you'll sleep too much. Don't drink alcohol at lunchtime, or you'll sleep afternoons. Go to bed early enough, or you'll be trying to catch up on sleep in the office.

Beware time-wasting people. Practise telling people you've got something important and urgent to finish and can you come and see them later?

Beware e-mails too - they have a way of sucking time. And they tend to make you terribly reactive - 'Oh, I've got a clear in-box, all my work is done'. But the truth is, work isn't replying to e-mails or composing e-mails - it is getting your sleeves rolled up and actually doing something; making phone calls, chasing people, creating sales, checking production, filing reports. Get on with it, now. Be productive. Be profitable. Everything else can take a hike.

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