Managing is not corralling and controlling.

That’s herding.

That’s not what we do.

Managing is not about muscle – round them up and prod them along.

Even if that worked, it wouldn’t get us where we need to go.

Managing is not “my way or the highway!”

Managing is:

“Here’s the highway, bright and clear, now you choose if you want to go where we’re going. No matter what, we respect your choice and wish you well.”

Managing is providing.

Providing everything needed to make this choice.

Clarity of expectations, training and coaching to get there, and a willingness on our part to make a timely response to all deviations.

Strong-arming is not managing.

Strong focusing is.

Changing staff is not our job.

Providing expectations and upholding them through clarity, neutrality and grace is.