Management by Walking around
Management by walking around Management is done in various ways and with various tools. One of these is "Management by Walking Around" (MBWA). Yes, it is a real thing.
MBWA is a management technique where managers proactively engage with employees and observe operations firsthand by walking through the workplace, interacting with staff, and gaining insights into daily activities by watching looking. This approach emphasises direct communication, relationship-building, and fostering a supportive and collaborative work environment. Here's a detailed overview of MBWA: -Visibility and accessibility - managers physically move around the workplace to be visible and accessible to employees. This promotes open communication and accessibility, encouraging employees to approach managers with ideas, concerns, or feedback. It also stops bad behaviours that can occur.
Observation and understanding - by observing operations directly, managers gain a better understanding of workflows, challenges, and opportunities. They can identify inefficiencies, bottlenecks, or issues that may not be apparent from reports or meetings alone. You can see when things are being done well and praise staff, and similarly you can see things that are being done incorrectly and teach them how to do it correctly.
Building relationships - MBWA allows managers to connect with employees on a personal level, building trust and rapport. Building relationships fosters a positive work culture and increases employee engagement and morale.
Real-time problem solving - managers can address issues or challenges promptly by being present in the workplace. Immediate feedback and support can prevent small problems from escalating into larger issues.
Facilitating innovation and improvement - engaging with employees directly can stimulate ideas and innovation. Managers can gather insights from frontline workers who often have valuable suggestions for process improvements or innovations. You will be surprised on the amount of value your employees can add, IF you give them an opportunity to contribute.
Supporting employee development - MBWA provides opportunities for coaching, mentoring, and skill development. Managers can provide constructive feedback, guidance, and recognition based on direct observation.
Promoting a culture of accountability - regular presence of managers reinforces accountability and responsibility among employees. Employees feel valued and accountable for their work when managers take a proactive interest in their activities.
Implementation tips for MBWA - Schedule - this should include all managers not just the line manager. All managers will have a different take. Just bear in mind lines of authority. These walks should occur every day and not on a fixed schedule. This helps to keep the process relaxed and behaviours natural. Also remember to walk throughout the operation.
Active listening - listen actively to employees without judgment and encourage open communication.
Ask questions - engage employees by asking questions about their work, challenges, and suggestions for improvement. Be interested in their suggestions and criticisms, that is how you learn and improve things.
Take notes - document observations and insights to follow up on action items or address specific issues.
Follow through - ensure that identified issues or suggestions are addressed promptly and transparently.
Adapt and evolve - be flexible and adapt MBWA based on organisational needs and feedback from employees.
In conclusion, Management by Walking Around is a valuable management practice that promotes employee engagement, communication, problem-solving, and continuous improvement. By being present and actively involved in day-to-day operations, managers can cultivate a positive work environment and drive organisational success.
Most importantly, when staff make contributions that make a difference, tell them and tell all the other staff. Recognition is a powerful tool and stimulates everyone to strive to improve.