Management Craft is 5 Years Old - Reflections from Pals - Phil Gerbyshak

I first started writing the Management Craft blog in August, 2004. FIVE YEARS AGO, WOW.

A few weeks ago, I sent an email to several other bloggers/podcasters who have been online pals for several of those five years. I asked them one question: what have you learned - that you most value - in the last five years? Throughout this month, I will be sharing their thoughts, beginning with Phil Gerbyshak, who I saw last week while in Milwaukee.

But before I get to Phil's thought pearls, I will answer the question myself.

What I have learned in the last five years as the host and keeper of Management Craft:

1. I can keep at something, like a blog, for FIVE years. This sounds simple, but I don't think I would have guessed in 2004 that I would still be blogging today. I would not have guessed that I would still have things to say and write. And this leads to my second lesson.

2. We are always reinventing and, therefore, always have a fresh story to tell and share. Sure, management is still management, but today's circumstances are unique. Think about this throughout the day - have you shared today's stories? Are you and your team talking about how you are changing together? Please make sure that you do. A blog is an online journal and a business blog is a journal of work. Whether you blog or not, there is a current journal entry that you should be talking about or discussing in some way.

3. People care - FIRST AND FOREMOST - about genuineness. If I were to total all the comments, emails, phone calls I have gotten from Management Craft (or my book) readers, the overwhelming theme would be a need for, and appreciation of, managers and leaders who are genuine. You reward me, too, when I get real with you. When I become distant and overly corporate (it happens!) you share your disapproval - either directly or through a lack of interest. Employees do the same with managers who are not genuine and open - they get moody/negative or they pull their hearts out of the workplace and withdraw.

4. There are days when I feel tired. Five years is a long time. Sometimes I feel burdened and don't want to post on Management Craft. But here is what I know. If I stopped writing on Management Craft, I would miss you, my readers. You are what's important here and I enjoy you.

I will pontificate a wee bit more throughout this anniversary month. Now here are Phil's thoughts:

What I've learned over the past 5 years:

1) Knowledge is great; people are GREATER - As much as I love to read books, I love interacting with people more, and learning from them. This is why I love social media, and why I've come to know many of you, through your blogs, your tweets, and your e-mails.

2) Tools change, people don't - No matter what medium folks are on, if I've connected with you and gotten to know you, I will follow you anywhere. I'll read your books, I'll subscribe to your blog, I'll get your newsletter, I'll join your community, and I will participate as often as I can.

3) Asking for help is the KEY to long term success - As much as I know, I know that I can achieve MORE if I ask for help from those who can help me. Trying to do it myself I've found is actually a recipe for failure.

Thanks for allowing me to share Lisa! Looking forward to connecting/reconnecting with you all in the future!

Phil

Phil Gerbyshak
Editor, Slacker Manager

Comments

[Rosa Say]

Ho‘omaika‘i ‘ana Lisa, congratulations! What a wonderfully generous way for you to celebrate as you leap forward into your 6th year; I will continue to eagerly watch for your updates this month.

With this posting #2 is my takeaway for you and for Phil. Love what you both say individually there, and I love thinking about the combination of them – about how conversation keeps us connected best of all, no matter how digitally savvy we get, for talking story with each other gets the stories you mention out so well. You and Phil have both been so crucial in helping me personally experience this; crucial and joyful.

[Lisa Haneberg]

Rosa - thanks so much. And happy anniversary to you, too. I think you will see a lot of nice "coming together" vibes from the various lessons shared this month. Not duplicative, but interwoven.

[Phil Gerbyshak]

Lisa - It's so fun to spend time with you, here and live and in person. I look forward to our next opportunity VERY much. Bring the recorder.

Thanks for sharing me here and for being such a great mentor to me. I'm so glad to count you among my informal coaches.

And Rosa is such a delight as well. It's so cool to think of you both turning 5 together. I hit 5 years in March :)

[lisa haneberg]

Yes, Phil, it will be fun to do the "man on the street" podcast with you, you have so much energy for this business!

[Michael Kroth]

Congrats Lisa! You've helped so many over the last five years - keep 'em comin'!

[lisa haneberg]

Thanks, Michael!