Life of a Manager – a Tale of Two Paradigms

Struggling with Industrial Era Bureaucracy

Meet Alex, a manager stuck in the Industrial Era paradigm of organizations, leadership, and change. In Alex’s words . . . . .

My life is a turmoil – complex business challenges where what worked in the past, no longer works. I lean on my college degree and managerial experience but find little insight on how to approach the change that I know is needed. My life is a constant juggling act – caught between herding cats while trying to avoid the tigers lurking in organization politics. I’m caught in a whirlwind of demands, expectations, and pressures that often feel overwhelming. Here's what my life looks like:

Morning: Starting the Day with Urgency

My day usually begins before the sun rises, as I review emails and messages that have piled up overnight. There’s always a sense of urgency—issues that need immediate attention, deadlines looming, and tasks that feel like they should have been done yesterday. I’m often worried about falling behind or missing something critical. I grab a quick coffee, knowing that the moment I step into the office, the demands will start pouring in.

Mid-Morning: The Deluge of Problems

Once in the office, my day quickly becomes a blur of meetings, phone calls, and problem-solving sessions. Each meeting seems to highlight a new issue: declining sales, a customer complaint, a project behind schedule, or a key employee threatening to leave. I’m constantly firefighting, putting out one blaze after another, but never feeling like I’m making real progress. The weight of responsibility is heavy, and there’s a persistent worry in the back of my mind that something crucial is slipping through the cracks.

Lunch: Time to catch up?

I grab a quick sandwich from the shop across the street and eat while reviewing new emails and text messages that came in while at meetings this morning. As I was adding a few items to my to-do list, the boss came by asking about the status of the NexusX Project (delayed – three weeks behind schedule!).

Afternoon: Dealing with Resistance and Uncertainty

As the day progresses, I’m faced with the harder tasks—implementing changes that I know are necessary but are met with resistance from the team. I’m excited about the potential improvements these changes could bring, but I’m also deeply anxious about how to get everyone on board. Without formal training in change management, I feel like I’m navigating in the dark, relying on gut instincts rather than proven strategies. The tension is palpable, both in the office and within myself, as I try to balance pushing for change without alienating my team.

Late Afternoon: Worrying About the Future

By late afternoon, my mind starts to shift to the bigger picture—the future of the business and my role in it. I worry about staying competitive in an industry that’s rapidly evolving. The thought of technology changes, market shifts, and economic uncertainties keeps me up at night. I’m excited about new opportunities and innovations, but I’m equally terrified of falling behind or making the wrong decision that could have lasting negative impacts. The pressure to not only survive but thrive is immense.

Evening: Reflection and Regret

As the day winds down, I often find myself reflecting on what I could have done differently. There’s a sense of regret that I don’t have the tools or the support I need to manage change effectively. I wish I had a better understanding of how to lead through change, how to inspire and engage my team, and how to navigate the complexities of today’s business world. The constant pressure leaves me mentally and emotionally drained, and I worry about burnout—both for myself and my team.

Night: Restless Sleep and Persistent Concerns

When I finally get to bed, the workday isn’t really over. My thoughts are still racing with concerns about tomorrow and what challenges it will bring. I want to be more proactive, to have a clearer vision and a stronger plan, but instead, I feel like I’m always reacting to problems as they arise. I lie there with a restless mind, knowing that the cycle will repeat itself tomorrow.

What I Want That I Don’t Have Today:

? Clarity and Confidence: I want to have a clearer roadmap for navigating change, a plan that I can trust to guide my decisions and actions.

? Support and Resources: I crave support—whether it’s from a consultant, mentor, or training program—that can provide me with the tools and knowledge I need to lead effectively.

? Engaged and Empowered Team: I long for a team that is fully engaged, aligned with the company’s goals, and empowered to contribute to the change process without resistance.

? Work-Life Balance: I wish for a better balance between work and personal life, where I can leave the day’s worries at the office and focus at home on recharging for the challenges ahead.

What Excites Me:

? The potential for growth and improvement keeps me going. I’m excited about the possibilities that change could bring if only I could manage it effectively.

? Seeing even small successes from changes implemented gives me hope and a sense of accomplishment.

What Worries Me:

? The fear of failure is always looming—whether it’s a failed project, losing a key client, or not meeting the company’s financial targets.

? I’m concerned about the morale of my team and the possibility of losing good employees due to the stress and uncertainty of ongoing changes.

Final Thoughts:

My life as a manager without a solid understanding of how to lead change is a constant struggle between excitement for the future and anxiety over the unknown. I’m eager to succeed and to see my team and company thrive, but I’m also keenly aware of my limitations and the risks that come with navigating change without a clear guide.

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Living into the Future of the New Era

Meet Alex, a manager experiencing life after receiving basic organizational change training and having access to an Organizational Effectiveness Coach. Alex’s daily work experience, emotions, and approach to daily challenges have undergone a significant positive transformation. Here’s how each aspect of how Alex’s life has changed, in Alex’s words . . . . .

I am again finding joy in my job. Problems still pop up, but my team is engaged and jump in to handle them, rarely needing my assistance. They enjoy the challenge and feeling of accomplishment while I coach them and focus on aligning our work with others in the company.

Morning: Starting the Day with Focus and Purpose

Before: The day began with a sense of urgency and anxiety, trying to catch up with tasks and problems. After Training/Coaching: The day starts with a clear plan of action.

I now use the early morning to review progress on ongoing change initiatives, assess priorities, and prepare for the day with confidence. I and my team feel more in control, knowing we have a structured approach to managing change for the problems and opportunities that arise. Change is no longer delayed until we must react. We now see change as a routine process of adapting to the inevitable pressures for change.

Mid-Morning: Proactive Problem-Solving

Before: Feeling of being overwhelmed by a deluge of problems and spent most of the time firefighting. After Training/Coaching: Instead of constantly putting out fires, we now proactively identify potential issues before they escalate into major problems.

With a better understanding of change leadership principles, I can delegate effectively and empower my team to address problems themselves. There’s less chaos and I feel equipped with the tools to prioritize and manage tasks systematically.

Lunch: Strategic Networking

Before: Indigestion from eating quickly and trying but failing to catch up. After Training/Coaching: Time to make the connections needed to put my team’s plans in motion.

I now see my role in the company differently and no longer feel isolated. As a result, I use my lunchtime to strategically move my agenda forward. Do I need to keep my boss in the loop to promote our progress and recognize those on my team? Who can help us “make things happen” as the NexusX Project moves forward? What might we be overlooking and who might have a perspective we need to hear? I can not only have a relaxing lunch but get to know others better on a social level that pays dividends later when a need arises.

Afternoon: Confidently Managing Resistance and Leading Change

Before: Everyone was anxious about implementing change and we struggled with conflict within the team and resistance from others impacted by the changes. After Training/Coaching: Armed with new skills and the support of a coach, we now anticipate how others may be impacted by change and proactively involve them early and often.

I have come to see change resistance as the outcome of managing in isolation. By involving more stakeholders in the problem-solving and decision-making, the change implementation rarely faces resistance since everyone is already in agreement on what needs to change (what should be protected from the change) and how the change process will proceed.

My team now communicates their concerns early and we address them openly. Everyone feels excited rather than anxious about change because we have a clear roadmap and understand how all the pieces work together. Our problems are still complex, but we are able to shift back and forth between seeing the small problems and the larger picture.

Late Afternoon: Strategic Thinking and Future Planning

Before: In between panic attacks when firefighting, I would worry about the future, feeling uncertain and fearful about staying competitive. After Training/Coaching: I now have the luxury of spending late afternoons on strategic planning and long-term thinking.

With some training and practice, I have learned how to align my department’s goals with the organization’s broader strategy. This required a broader understanding of how my department fits within the organization’s Purpose (and a little upward managing when my annual goals were set). I also feel more secure in my role, knowing I have the skills to adapt to market changes and help keep the company competitive. My team is also more confident in their ability to innovate and drive the organization forward knowing where they fit within the broader effort.

Evening: Reflection with Insight

Before: Before, I would reflect on the day with regret, feeling drained and uncertain about my effectiveness. After Training/Coaching: Reflection now serves as a constructive activity as I relax and think of what I need to do next, turning my dreams into reality. As a bonus, this effort devoted to this reflection is primarily done on my drive home, leaving the rest of the evening for “family time” something that now provides personal fulfillment that was unknown to me before.

I have gained many insights from coaching sessions to evaluate what went well and what can be improved. Upon reflection, I no longer feel regretful but am instead focused on continuous learning and growth. There’s a sense of satisfaction in knowing I am better equipped to handle the challenges that come their way.

Night: Restful Sleep with Peace of Mind

Before: I used to struggle to get to sleep, worrying about the next day’s challenges and feeling out of control. After Training/Coaching: Restful sleep without waking up with anxiety about work.

Some of my peace comes from having a coach to consult, along with a solid understanding of change management that provides peace of mind without anxiety. I now trust in my ability to handle whatever comes next, leading to reduced stress and a healthier work-life balance.

What I Want That I Now Have:

? Clarity and Confidence: I now have a clear roadmap for navigating change and feel confident in how I involve others in decision-making.

? Support and Resources: With access to a coach and the knowledge gained from training, I no longer feel isolated. I fell I have the support needed to lead effectively.

? Engaged and Empowered Team: I have successfully fostered a culture of engagement and empowerment within my team, reducing resistance and improving morale.

? Work-Life Balance: With better tools and strategies, I have regained control over my schedule, allowing for a healthier balance between work and personal life.

What Excites Me Now:

? I am excited about leading successful change initiatives and seeing positive results from my effort. My team looks forward to innovating and improving the organization with confidence.

? The potential for continuous growth, both personally and for the organization, drives my enthusiasm. I am eager to apply new ideas and strategies learned through training and coaching. My expanded network provides useful advice and serves as a sounding board when I need to expand my awareness of alternative pathways.

What I Worry About Now:

? I am still mindful of challenges, but my worries are now more about optimizing processes and sustaining success rather than fear of failure. More time is spent fine-tuning and improving rather than simply surviving.

? Upon reflection, I find myself thinking strategically about potential risks, but approach these with a proactive entrepreneurial mindset, ready to address issues with the support of my team.

Final Thoughts:

I can honestly say that my life has shifted from one of constant stress and reactivity to a more balanced and proactive approach. My team feels empowered by the knowledge and support they have received, allowing them to initiate change with confidence and clarity. My typical day is now filled with purposeful actions, strategic thinking, and a stronger sense of accomplishment and well-being. Life is good.

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To discuss this article in more depth, join the January 9 Future of Work Roundtable –

https://www.futocracy.network/events/fow-manifesto-for-new-era-organizations

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Authored with some assistance from ChatGPT supervised closely with my subject matter expertise, and then edited for clarity of purpose & personalization. This authoring process used a custom ChatGPT (“Organizational Effectiveness Coach”) trained on content in the draft eBook “Leading New Era Organizations – not your father’s management” plus other articles authored by Dr. Ross Wirth, Dr. Reg Butterfield, and Silvia Calleja. Additional configuration for the GPT helps skew the GenAI response toward newer ways of thinking about organizations, leadership, and change. This custom ChatGPT is publicly available at

https://chatgpt.com/g/g-GwWbdo8Jc-organizational-effectiveness-coach