Devoted to Managers and those that seek to improve their management skills

One of the greatest pressures that a manager can go through, is the "management sandwich." If anyone has been in management for a while, they'll know what I mean.

You're put in the place of managing change. The change will without a doubt drop the numbers while the changes are being made. Your manager tells you that they want things to be up from last year while the changes are implemented. You want to take two aspirin and call the doctor in the morning.

This is the place where you're being pressured to press the employees in a way you may not agree with, as you know how much stress it produces on them. In the same way you know your going to be chewed on during the process because there is no way that you can do what is being asked of you. You're the slice of meat between these two opposite poles.

What can you do? How do you handle it? I want to say straight out that there is no way that you can get away without being chewed on, unless you have a boss that truly understands the process and gives you the leeway. Most don't!

So the first thing to do is to accept that it's going to happen. I know, that doesn't seem to be an answer, but when you think on it, it makes sense. Once that is acknowledged, then you can go about the task that needs to be done, and get it done efficiently and quickly.

Usually that task is training your employees on whatever changes that are being made. So instead of concentrating on the negative aspect of things, concentrate on getting the job done, while reminding your boss on the positive effects it will have on the company as soon as the process is completed. The old redirect strategy, that in this case needs to be done.

Another thing you can do is to not take it out on those you're training. Be willing to bear the responsibility for what is going on, it will give you great milage and good will from your workers.

This is probably one of the toughest parts of being a manager. If you choose to go the way of trying to please everybody over a long process, you will end up pleasing no one and stretching out the unpleasant ramifications of the drop in numbers. I hope you choose the best way, you'll be glad you did.