GUIDELINES TO NRDC feb 24 2014

Problems, Decisions, and ManagersIntroductionThis section explains why managers should look beyond today's problemsand focus on tomorrow's opportunities.ProblemsManagers solve problems, but that's not their main job. If they stay weddedto problems (usually everyday problems), they become mediocre managers:x As they solve problems, people bring them more; the more they solve, themore people bring.x Immersion in problems denies these managers opportunities to makequality decisions to avert these problems in the first place.x In solving today's problems, mediocre managers simply restore the statusquo and await more problems.DecisionsEffective managers, while not ignoring problems don't become immersed inthem. Instead, they delegate them to their rightful owners. This frees themfor more worthy endeavors:x Making decisions to avert tomorrow's problems.x Focusing on the future.Opportunitiesand optionsFocusing on the future enables us to uncover hidden opportunities. Thefuture also provides time to develop options. With options, we make betterdecisions. Without them, decisions become forced choices and likely poorchoices. By finding tomorrow's opportunities and developing options,effective managers can make enduring, quality decisions.EffectivenessManagers should not be the chief problem solvers, but people who work forthem should. However, as we've just seen, ability to solve problems is not thesole measure of effectiveness.When staff officers become formal managers and leaders, they must lookbeyond today's problems. This is what astute managers and bold leaders do toachieve effectiveness.NRDC GRC – Staff Handbook 5-14