Just a Manager...
Recently I have encountered a phenomenon that I thought was reserved for actors.....being typecast. In this case being typecast as "just a manager" with the perception that once one becomes a people manager they have a lobotomy that limits their ability to function beyond certain boundaries. Those boundaries of course are not well defined but seem to be centered around the common tactical managerial tasks of status reports, performance reviews, project management, etc. Being "just a manager" seems to preclude having technical depth, contributing to the strategic direction, or having a broader understanding of technology or business in which we work. Having been a people manager for nearly a decade, I have prided myself on trying to master both the classic skills of a people manager as well as going beyond those boundaries to leverage my experience as a scientist, engineer and business person to add greater value to my team/organization/company and for my own personal fulfillment.
Fortunately the typecasting is the exception, not the norm, and has helped me to reflect on what is important to me and what I think should be important for my fellow managers. Don't limit yourself to being "just a manager" and take it upon yourself to define your own boundaries. Take on the role of being a strategist, technologist, leader, business person, etc. if only for your own personal fulfillment. Take pride in breaking the typecast by being able to add to your own credits by being a scientist, author, change agent, entrepreneur, technologist, inventor, visionary, etc.
Fortunately the typecasting is the exception, not the norm, and has helped me to reflect on what is important to me and what I think should be important for my fellow managers. Don't limit yourself to being "just a manager" and take it upon yourself to define your own boundaries. Take on the role of being a strategist, technologist, leader, business person, etc. if only for your own personal fulfillment. Take pride in breaking the typecast by being able to add to your own credits by being a scientist, author, change agent, entrepreneur, technologist, inventor, visionary, etc.
Would someone just Jonathan is "just a CEO" or Michael Jordan "just an athlete?" If they do, why would that matter to Jonathan or Mr. Jordan? Management (particularly in IT/High-tech) is a profession that takes years to practice and achieve the required efficiency and effectiveness.
Most, if not all, engineers recognize a good manager when they see one. The lobotomy joke refers mostly to those managers once were practicing engineers and found themselves rusted at those arts.
For those who thought management is menial as you described, I would just think them as one of those who think Jordan is "just a ball player" and cannot appreciate the arts of basketball.
Posted by Sin-Yaw Wang on October 01, 2007 at 08:49 PM PDT #
I've heard this sort of comment often - 'just a program manager', 'just an MTS2', 'just a manager', 'just an executive'... I think these remarks say more about the person who made them than the person they were talking about. I tend to ignore them.
Besides, one person's typecasting is another person's specialization. And in business today, it's critical to have an area of expertise.
Posted by melanie gao on October 05, 2007 at 07:17 AM PDT #