IS IT REALLY ORGANIZATIONAL SUICIDE?
By Jack Ruffer

I seem to remember an old adage about the attitude of all too many top-level managers: “If you’ve got a good horse, ride it to death.” It may sound bold, assertive and aggressive, but it’s not very practical. Burnout in the CID industry is pandemic, particularly in the case of front line supervisors, like Association Managers. The competing demands of the parent CID Management company, Association’s Boards of Directors and the ever-present homeowners create a pressure cooker-like environment which all too often leads to internal turmoil, resulting in a high rate of personnel turnover. And then there’s the old standby intimidator, “If you can’t get the job done, I’ll get someone who can!”

The theory that all firms need middle management is a solution, but in my view potentially a costly one. Most of industrial America is reducing cost by eliminating middle management in favor of the new “flat” organizational structure. In competitive reality, few CID management companies have the elasticity in their operating budgets to pay for another layer of higher-priced managers.

In keeping with the gastronomic theme, I submit the following alternative recipe:

• 1 full cup clear and concise written goals (provided by company president)
• 1 full cup clear and concise written objectives (provided by company president)
• 3 heaping tablespoons supportive leadership (provided by company president; formerly the role of middle management)
• Generous sprinkling off resources to get the job done (This is where you will spend money – but substantially less than you would spend on middle-level management salaries)
• 1 full cup open communication (let’s talk – and listen)
• As much sincere effort as necessary (no fair faking it)
• Blend vigorously then bake in a professional environment until your creation rises and is well done

Serves: You, your staff, your ownership, and all your customers as well.