Teamwork is an essential part of proactive management.
The proactive management philosophy takes the approach that managers must act first to correct problems or establish sustainable business practices. This philosophy can be quite difficult as it requires more time and communication to achieve goals and objectives. The goal of proactive management is to develop an organizational structure that does not shy away from changes or alterations in current business operations. Managers should try to control all situations instead of being controlled by situations. Waiting for instructions or guidance from a superior is not part of this management philosophy.
The proactive management philosophy takes the approach that managers must act first to correct problems or establish sustainable business practices.
Large organizations often include a variety of different management styles and philosophies. This is because the company requires a number of people to complete the tasks and activities. Many organizations do not monitor or provide guidance on how to complete tasks; they simply provide an opportunity for people to employ their own tactics to achieve goals. A common management mantra is “you can only expect what you inspect.” This statement provides a clear summary of proactive management. Rather than sit back and wait for information to come to them, proactive managers actively seek information to achieve goals in an efficient and timely manager.
Through proactive management, people collect the information they need to make timely decisions. This process will also involve the active coordination of the company’s resources. For example, when the proactive manager determines that a department or division is not meeting predetermined goals, the manager allocates more resources in real time to achieve the required results. Since this occurs before the department finishes production, the proactive manager avoids problems of out-of-supply or inadequate production. The manager can also seek information on why the department was unable to meet the stated goals and make changes before starting the next production of goods.
The essential principles of proactive management include teamwork, goal setting, and communication, both up and down. Through teamwork, a proactive manager can bring together a group of like-minded individuals, creating a proactive management philosophy across multiple layers of the company. Goal setting is necessary because the proactive manager must have something to strive for in her position. Working aimlessly can result in a reactionary philosophy where managers don’t notice situations until they happen. Upward communication allows managers to hear input from employees completing daily tasks and activities. This helps the manager make well-informed decisions. Downward communication travels from the manager to the employees, providing them with the necessary guidance.