Why is good management so difficult?

What better place to continue my research on management than the hallowed halls of academia? I spoke to +Julian Birkinshaw, Professor of Strategy and Entrepreneurship at the London Business School, to further unravel the intricacies of good management and leadership.

Think you’re doing a truly good job as a manager? If your answer is a resounding ‘yes!’, then congratulations, but I ought to add that the bulk of evidence says otherwise.

So, why is good management so difficult? “Alas, there are few really good managers out there. Or rather, there are few people who are consistently good managers. Lots of us do a good job from time to time, but the acid test of good management is to be able to do it when we are stressed or when the organisation is going through a tough time,” says Julian.

A lot has been written on the subject and according to Julian most of it won’t come as much of a surprise to anyone. In his eyes, “The problem is not to figure out what we should do. Rather, it is about understanding why we don’t do what we know we should do!”

Become a better boss – two things to focus on

1) Self-awareness – know your own strengths and weaknesses by seeking advice and feedback wherever possible (and learn to adapt accordingly)

2) Switch perspective – always try to see the world through the eyes of your employees

“These two reframing exercises then drive a fundamental shift in the ways we act as bosses,” explains Julian.

+Julian Birkinshaw has written extensively about management and leadership, including his most recent book, “Becoming A Better Boss: Why Good Management is So Difficult”. Julian is Professor of Strategy and Entrepreneurship at the London Business School. 

Find out more about Julian and his work