11-2.5 MBWA

After reading Characteristics of Contemporary Social Life... (p.199) I found the idea of the concept of Management By Walking Around (MBWA) to be rather insightful. Last year I was talking to some support personnel and one of them mentioned that the Chief had not been down to visit them or talk to them. He had recently been appointed the Chief (leader) and he had mentioned in some memos that he would be taking the time to go around and meet with the members of the organization. It had now been several months and he had not made his way to the area of the department. I could feel the air of resentment, as they spoke about his leadership. They said they were not impressed with him and that they didn't think he was a good leader. I thought to myself, imagine what they might be thinking now if had taken a few minutes to meet them at their division meetings? Just to say hi, give them praise on a job well done; and a promise to be open to their concerns. Shake some hands, walk around and ask members about their jobs. It would have gone a long way to promote harmony and pride. Instead, he has missed out on an opportunity. However, with each new year, it seems to me that he could conduct his MBWA and restore some credibility!