Do you need to be?

This TED video by Dan Pink provides some lovely support for the PMN approach to management.  18 minutes or so.

Thinking of setting up a mentoring scheme?  Here are some top tips to improve the chances of success:

1. Educate mentees in how to choose and use a mentor – this will provide a better return on investment than training people in how to be good mentors
2. Offer a mentor matching service – but always encourage people to look for their own mentors first – this ensures relevance
3. Always encourage people to check out a few potential mentors rather than allocating them one
4. Train people who have already been approached to become mentors – avoid training a whole bunch of people who want to mentor, but for whom there is no demand

Please do add more….

I have been using twitter since February and it has been great.

I had over 1600 followers and was the 7th most popular twitterer in Leeds.  It took a lot of time and effort – but the returns were there in as much as my network was considerably expanded both at the very local and international level.  I used twitter to network with a wide range of people who shared my passion for management, leadership, enterprise and entrepreneurship.  I had even found new clients through twitter recommendations!

But on July 22nd something strange happened.  All of my followers were ‘lost’ as was nearly everyone that I follow.

I logged a support request with Twitter which they immediately deemed closed without any communication or investigation that I could see.

As some of my followers got wind of what had happened they started to to put the word out and people slowly started to follow me again.  This was a wonderful and humbling response as many people really missed my presence in their networks.

Then, today, without explanation, Twitter suspended my account.  As far as I can see I have not transgressed any of their guidelines and I do not use any automated systems to refollow or direct message people.  Many creative, constructive and potentially commercially important conversations have been disrupted.

So beware if you are investing much time in Twitter.  I would hate the same thing to happen to you.

28th July Addendum

Had some help from @delbius who works for Twitter support.  Apparently my account was trashed by a ‘bug’.  It has now been reinstated and most of the people I follow have been restored.  However my network of followers has not – at least not yet.

Looking to broaden and deepen your personal and professional development?

Live and or work in Leeds?

Check out Progress School

Not in Leeds but like the idea of a Progress School on your turf?

Get in touch!

I have just set up a dedicated twitter account for PMN.  You can now follow me on twitter @PMNUK.

Check out the twitter stream at http://twitter.com/pmnuk

This account will be used to provide regular ideas, inspiration, reminders and nudges about effective progressive management.

I also tweet on @mikechitty – where the focus is more on my work in enteprise and education.

Hope this makes things better for you!

Mike Chity

I often meet managers who are obsessed with plans and performance.  As a result they tend to focus on deviance.  Things that go wrong, that don’t meet the plan.

As a result they find it hard to see and acknowledge the good stuff.  The vast majority of their feedback is about problems and they fail to acknowledge or even see the good work that is done every day.

If you need convincing that you only see what you are looking for try this video for size.

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Find yourself half an hour and wathc ths wonderful video to learn about leadership from conductor Itay Talgam.

Looks at various conducting styles and teaches profoundly while entertaining!

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In some very exciting conversations with Reach Further about bringing the Progressive Managers’ Network online.

Potentially become a blend of webinars, videos, face to face, e-mail and telephone support.

Looking forward to making this a reality over the summer.

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Simon Caulkin’s Management Column in the Observer is a victim of the recession.

Read his last piece here.

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