Although often a career goal, the move into people management often starts from the ground level. In many cases, the most successful managers have started their careers doing the role of the people they manage.

 When researching the background of some of the world’s greatest business leaders and people managers you will find that this is most often the case. This is also true with one of the greatest Jack Welsh.

These careers commence as sales reps, marketers, I.T. techs and even scientists. Look around the company you are currently in, I am sure that you will find people that were extremely successful in their initial role that stink as a people manager and leader.

This is common in most organisations.

Why?

Because it is easy to promote someone that is successful. It is easy to promote those that hit budgets, meet deadlines and develop creative products and campaigns. 

So in the early years, what is it that differentiates an ordinary scientist in a management role from an inspirational leader.

What are the qualities that are evident in a sales rep that identify them as a future leader?

At a glance it is quite simple. These people constantly dissect their interactions with their current manager and other managers that they come into contact with. They learn from the mistakes and successes of the styles they experience. Most people would be unhappy having an ineffective manager, but these people thrive on the experience. A lot can be learnt from this exposure and most probably more than from working under a great leader.

But the message is clear, our future leaders take it all in and develop from us. They store data relating to the principles that work and the ones that don’t.

Have a look around, who is watching, listening and learning?

Some of these folk have already been promoted into leadership roles, so how do they put this into practice?

That next step can be daunting but there in a process that needs to take place…

Welcome to day 1 of " A minute with Scotty".

Through this blog I will attempt to challenge your thought processes. As I touch on different topics I hope that this will stimulate your mind and help you to uncover the answers you have been looking for, but did not know were within. I am sure that you already realise that the answers to all of your questions sit within the depths of your mind already. The trick is to bring them to the surface.

As we roll through this journey I hope to bring to you some real life experiences from my week with people, this hopefully adding a great deal of relevance and context. 

I hope you enjoy the trip as much as I intend to...so lets away!