TIME
Time is money. This is a common expression heard in the United States. Certainly we can tell a lot about persons by how they spend money. Employees can also learn about their boss by how she/he uses time. Just as we have a limited amount of money, we only have a limited number of hours in the day.
Therefore, you need to think about how you manage your time.
A MATTER OF STATUS
If you are important, you can keep some of lesser importance waiting. However, it will not happen the other way around without some problems arising. A manager who keeps the CEO waiting is in trouble. He/she is less valuable to the company.
If you are important, you decide how long your subordinates will be with you. Thus the top manager controls the time of his/her underlings.
Sometimes a manager plays favorites among his assistants by inviting one to be with her/him much longer than the others. This is observed by the others, and may be resented. Therefore the hours spent with the top manager may indicate status in the organization.
ARRIVALS AND DEPARTURES
When the boss arrives and leaves is always noted in the company. Some come in early, before anyone else, and others come in late and stay after most leave.
If the boss takes long lunches, it is noted. If the boss lunches at her desk, it is also noticed. The manager sets the tone.
If the boss arrives exactly on the dot for a meeting, it is noticed. Employees will make sure to be there by then. If they are late, they may drop in the boss’s favor. The boss, however, can decide to arrive early or late. The others, no.
The number of hours the boss works, will be noted. If he/she is lazy and works few hours, respect will fall for the manager and actually the employees, in my experience, will try to reduce their hours also.
If the boss works long hours, the employees will probably feel obligated to do so as well.
This depends somewhat on the culture of the company. Young lawyers are expected to work many hours more than their bosses in a law firm.
KEY POINTS:
⦁ TIME USE COMMUNICATES STATUS
⦁ WHEN YOU ARRIVE AND LEAVE MATTER
⦁ USE TIME WELL AND SO WILL YOUR STAFF
Managing in English 