The Sandwich Manager

The sandwich generation typically refers to those who are still looking after their children, but who also must take care of aging parents. For many managers, this situation repeats itself at work: they have a responsibility to manage their own staff, while also taking care of their own manager's priorities.

In fact, the sandwich manager must also deal with a third group of people: their peers. Recognizing that managing isn't only a downward facing activity is one of the first lessons of successful managers.

• Managing Up: Meeting your manager's needs earns you credibility.
• Managing Down: Empowering your staff provides support.
• Managing Sideways: Delivering on your promises earns you respect.

At certain times within your career you may have felt that you had hit a ceiling: even worse, you may have felt that the ceiling was caused by your lack of ability. Remember that the "lack" is not in your skills or abilities, but merely that you have not paid attention to managing up, down or sideways.

This week's action item: Have you successfully been managing all three groups? Do you keep everyone up-to-date? Do you consult with people in each group before a key business decision? Identify one group and reach out to them for a particular purpose, by the end of the week. Help those around you become successful, and they will return the favor. Neglect them, and they'll return that favor too. Manage the Sandwich.

Make It Happen Tipsheet
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Copyright © 2007 Knowledge to Action Press and Randall Craig. All rights reserved.

Publication Date: May 15, 2007