Ever Heard of MBWA?

The Leader’s Guide to Shutting Down

Conversations clam up when Sam da Boss walks into the room,.

All hands suddenly get busy when Toni the Supervisor comes around the corner.

There's people in the room but the bleachers are empty!

Leaders, take note: your people are sending you clues! What’s up with you not noticing?

Back in the old days before acronyms became the norm, there was a leadership mantra, called MBWA: “Management by Walking Around”. Sounds simple, doesn’t it?

In essence, MBWA is about you as a leader paying attention to the little things that your staff do during their shift.

To pay attention, you need to get out there.

To get out there, you need to simply your own systems so that you have the time to build relationships, and correct the little things before they blow up into big things.

It’s about taking a positive, proactive and personal approach with people, so that your systems operate smoothly.

Put another way, it’s like that leaky faucet you are ignoring. You hear the drip, day after day, but don’t have time to fix it right now.

Wake Up Call

I am suggesting that MBWA leverages your organization and the results show up in black and white on your bottom line.









If you want to know what really goes on, day to day, go take a casual, relaxed walk and look for the obvious – the routine which has become invisible in your eyes. Look for what people are doing well. Pat them on the back; low time investment, zero financial cost, huge payback!

I could give you a long list of how to do MBWA right now, but I’m assuming that all you need is a gentle wake up call.

Pay attention to what happens in your staff meetings: if you talk more than anyone else, you’re failing at MBWA.









If you’re staff say there are no rumours floating around, you are out of the loop.









If your middle managers don’t remember their 6 top goals for this month without looking through the policy manuals, you’re failing at MBWA.









If your front line staff can’t tell you who your 6 best customers are, you need to send me an email and ask for the “HOW TO DO MBWA” list. Consider me your Coach on Call. I’ll gladly share that with you, and guide you through your first walkabout.









PS Check out the archives and the whole Idea Du Jour List.




Questions? Need help? Send a comment or email. Replies are confidential!





Photo Credit: Richard Chicoine

D Day

3 Design Secrets

If you’re into writing lists, or thinking things through in your head, it’s time to try a new strategy! The “D” words in the Ideas DU Jour list, all point to using a Different Design method… one that’s scared you since childhood, if you’re part of the mainstream. It’s called DRAWING. Feared by many, used by few as a problem solving technique. Get over it! Your teacher gave you that D grade how many years ago?

Drawing is part of design....think systematically like an architect. What's connected to what? What are the functions? Where are the aesthetics? Solutions are systems...let your mind work it through.

Secret 1: Buy a cheap LARGE scrapbook or use flip chart paper. Start doodling about the ideas you are trying to develop. Create a DESIGN for the DILEMMA by using a metaphor. If this situation were a moving thing, what would it be? For example, would “it” be an island surrounded by water? Draw it… don’t worry about being the artist…just doodle away and enjoy. Music helps! What is on your island? Any bugs in the sand? Look up…is it night or day? Windy or calm? Hot or cold? Who’s on shore, in a boat, who is approaching? Who is not around? What do you want on this island? Get the idea?

Secret 2: While you’re at it, Discover a new use, dig just a little deeper. Doze off, or walk away from the project for a while. If you decide to nap, pay attention to what’s happening in your mind on the way into sleep, and also when you’re re-entering the awake zone. Your mind is in Delta, moving into Theta, the perfect spot for creativity to emerge. You just might find some answers in that sleepy state!

Secret 3: Read the archives, and take a good look at the Ideas du Jour A, B and C. I’m the Coach on Call…all you have to do to get some help is email me! maggiechicoine@gmail.com There's no charge for your first visit!

PS Have fun!

Maggie