Thanks For the Toilet Seat Covers

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What comes to mind when you hear the word “management”?

Princeton defines management as “the act of managing something” and “those in charge of running a business”.

When I hear the term “management” used to describe a group of unnamed people, I think of toilet seat covers. Specifically, I think of toilet seat covers in public restrooms. Sometimes the packaging reads: “Provided by the Management For Your Protection”.

As a consumer, I've see signs at retail stores that have things like “No Bills Larger than $20” or "No substitutions!" signed by, of course, “The Management”. I'm sure you've heard things such as “It was a management decision” or “I will take it up with management”.

Is "management" an easy way to avoid having contact with your actual customers, or worse, your actual employees? In my experience, "management" is often the reason things are "just done that way". And "management" always seems to say "we've always done it that way".

Are there processes in your company that force employees to blame (or credit) "management"? Outside of established processes, what are your employees actually saying? Does the dreaded term pop up from time to time? If so, before you (attempt to) abolish the use of the word, take it as feedback that perhaps your team may want more communication, more of the "why" behind your decisions (by the way, they probably do).

As a manager, I take responsibility for my role and for my decisions.

“Management” provides toilet seat covers. Managers make decisions.

Image courtesy: Flickr

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