By Jennifer Giering
President, Dearborn Chamber of Commerce
This past month, David Brandon, athletics director for the University of Michigan, served as the keynote speaker at the first Business Builder Breakfast of the year.
Brandon came armed with key message points and lessons straight from the corporate battlefield. Particularly compelling was the suggestion that good managers should find out how each of their employees needs to be treated, or best motivated, and treat them that way.
I have been taught to do unto others as I would have done to me. Brandon’s idea was different. He maintains that the two ends of the management spectrum include “tough, objective and unemotional,” while the other serves as a “trainer, friend, or coach.”
There are a variety of combinations along this managerial spectrum. This notion, Brandon claimed, is why Bo Schembechler was touted as such a strong and effective coach. Bo took the time to figure out how his players wanted to be treated, what motivated them, and treated them this way – both on and off the field. A tough, in-your-face approach would work for one player, while an arm wrapped around a shoulder and some sound advice would work on another.
Whether you are in the board room, on the field or working within a community organization, you will maximize the output of each team member if you take the time to learn how each can best be nurtured to perform; be it kind words or a stern talking to. Imagine a group of people who are working together toward a common goal, and all members are actively engaged, motivated and working at their full capacity.
Every organization, large or small, could benefit from this idea and the results would be transformational.