“You do things when the opportunities come along. I’ve had periods in my life when I’ve had a bundle of ideas come along, and I’ve had long dry spells. If I get an idea next week, I’ll do something. If not, I won’t do a damn thing.”
When one listens to the various ideas thrown around about how to manage, it's not long before you start to think only those capable to be brain surgeons or rocket scientists are fit for duty.
That comes to me when I hear what Buffett is saying above. Sometimes, no many times, the best job we can do as a manager is nothing. Because many managers have titles, they assume that means that they must "manage" - meaning that they must be doing something.
Just being active or getting our people active doesn't mean we're managing. Just like in regular life, there are times when things flow like a river, and other times when it seems like you have trouble even finding water.
Great managers know when the best time is to simply let things go and trust their people completely. Other times there may be the need to intervene to set things back on the right course, and then step back again and let things go.
Not only will we go through times like this, but so will our businesses, divisions and people. One of the true disciplines of a manager is knowing when the time to do nothing is; and it's more than most managers may be willing to admit.
We don't need to be doing things for the sake of doing things. That's worse than any time where it seems like not much is happening. How many times have we watched people trying too hard to make a difference when a difference didn't need to be made?
I hope you know we're not talking about being lazy here, but rather we're talking about creating initiatives and ideas that are for the only purpose that we think we need to be doing something. Many times our people will tell us when we do stuff like this if we keep our ear close to the ground and listen for feedback.
We need to be cautious and disciplined in attempting to do too much. It can many times backfire and be more of a hindrance than a help to our people and the company.
Other Buffett Sources:
10 Secrets Hidden in Warren Buffett's Wallet
The Warren Buffett You Don't Know
Warren Buffet-Strategic Planning
Some practical advice from investment guru Warren Buffett
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