Thundering rock music, super sonic jet fighters and a central
character who is a rebel with a need for speed, Top Gun gives a lot of
bangs for your bucks. But why are senior management always portrayed
as out of touch, overly bureaucratic , risk adverse, stuffed shirts. I
would like to see a film or t.v.series where senior management is the
hero. The pitch to the commissioning editors would go something like
this.
The maverick against the system is also a popular theme in many crime
dramas where senior management is more concerned with balancing the
budget and appeasing politicians than catching villains and seeing
justice done. But what about the struggles of the much maligned senior
manager. Here’s a pitch for a series about a senior manager who has
integrity, who still cares and hasn’t forgotten what it’s like on the
front line, who keeps the politicians at bay, successfully fights
for a realistic budget , rewrites the rule book ,makes bold decisions
and encourages risk taking. All the while supporting the troops whilst
insisting on their adherence to the highest standards and
professional values. Just for a change maybe they also have a healthy
work life balance and a successful long term relationship!
Face the facts - In the opening scene of the first episode the
newly appointed chief executive calls together all the managers in the
organisation she give a brutal analysis of the organisations failings
and states she intends to redistribute the budget shifting money to
the front line. She describes herself as the boss who likes to say
“yes” so she wants to hear their good ideas.
Future episodes are entitled
Keeping the on side- diplomacy only gets you so far you need
some leverage.
Back me or sack me-Giving the board an ultimatum when their
commitment to unpopular changes wavers is risky.
Can you handle the truth?- Winning over a cynical media with
openness upsets some of the management team.
Are you for us or against us -Inspiring the rank and file and
questions of trust.
I don’t expect unquestioning loyalty. Leading the senior
management team involves hearing some hard truths.
A sense of belonging.-It’s not enough to have a diverse
workforce people need to feel they belong but not everyone accepts
there is a problem.
Good to work with you. Partner agencies can be a challenge !
Didn’t you used to be my Mum/ daughter - is being a
parent/carer compatible with a demanding career?
All for one and one for all- except when it comes to the budget.
Even good guys can be ruthless- “ you did a great job but the
world moves on and your future lies elsewhere”.
Blair Mcpherson former director author and blogger www.blairmcpherson.co.uk