So, what do you do again?

Having spent more of my working life as a non-manager than as a manager, I know how people often look at a manager and say "What does he/she DO all day? They're not producing anything - they're just dead weight" or something similar.

I went to the Manager Tools website and took a look at their podcast categories and culled out some that illustrate a fair amount of what it involves.

HR (and all that that entails)

• Evaluations
• Staffing / Hiring / Interviews / Recruiters
• Retention
• Termination / Layoffs

Management

• Employee Behavior
• One on Ones /Feedback
• Networking
• Employee Performance
• Company Strategy

Tasking

• Communication
• Delegation
• Meetings

Employee development

• Books
• Career
• Coaching
• Training

Communication

• Email
• Presenting

I have not even touched on the budget cycle or any of the other administrative sinkholes that can eat up your day / week / month / year.

Any one of these areas grows with headcount, as the number of communication channels increases. Some of the tasks are emotionally draining, while others take their toll physically.

Yet, I remember when I thought managers did not do anything but drink coffee and loaf around. So when somebody asks me what I do I say "Wander around and wave my arms, hoping it makes a difference." I suppose it diminishes the work somewhat, but the only other option is to try and laundry-list it all and nobody wants to hear about that.