A Larger Management Reflection

Things I've Learned about Management This Semester
There are all different types of managers because there are all different types of people. This year I have been experimenting with what kind of manager I am and eventually will be.

In general, staff come to managers with expectations. Usually the scenario begins with an employee having an issue & expecting resolution from the manager. I learned to not make my staff's issue my issue. I must guide him or her to the resolution rather than see it to completion myself. I learned that expectations are situational and are conditioned in your staff day one of introduction. What I want my staff to expect of me is only what I can give, and what I want to give is the best of myself. This is certainly a catch -22 when other aspects of my life demand "my best self" and perfect is obviously unattainable (the over-achiever's largest disappointment: realizing she cannot be perfect). The trick to meet the double-edge sword of expectations is communication. If I communicate with my staff what is expected of them and what they can expect of myself, error is less likely to occur.

More unique to myself as a manager, when I am there, I am there. While at work, the rest of the aspects of my life are not considered. I am good at prioritizing my life in that way, which in turn translates to my work load.



Reflections on Trainings and Important Lessons for the Future
We have had extensive training but the details of each training I do not keep a conscious reference. Instead my subconscious and conditioned self knows how to adjust in a situation given the training.

Training with the New York Liberty and Madison Square Garden Management Team is one day that shines brighter in my memory. They spoke of circle of service, which is their cute phrase for giving each customer a great experience. Their plans to make the large arena (maximum capacity 19,763 ) a success was comfortably familiar to our plans and concerns at the RutgersZone (maximum capacity of 150). The main lesson was to create touch points with each guest possible, have a personal connection, fix an issue, or author a smile on their face. This also applies for future employment. As a marketing major, understanding my customer on multiple levels is crucial for success. If I can build that bridge to the customer, then I have created a positive position of our brand in their mind, and potentially (and most likely) parented a loyal customer.


Goals as a Manager for the Spring
I learned this semester that because of my seniority and title some people look to me for leadership that was never necessarily assigned to me. It is a goal of mine to step up to be a leader in very situation over my final semester. It is my goal to read a list of non-fiction marketing and business books outside the scope of my work load to enhance my abilities while at work. It is my goal to learn five new things I have never known about each of my staff members and colleagues. I work more with some than others, and I hope this will ensure more fluidity and trust. And finally, it is my goal to brainstorm weekly for a few minutes (off the clock) about how I can make the RutgersZone great and what in the world that will entail.


Thanks for reading.
See you in the Zone!
--Becky