Interviewing Jane Macken, author of The Art of Managing

Lauren Smith: What is your book about?

The Art of Managing

•  Provides an easy-to-read history of management theory, leadership and organizational effectiveness.
•  Shows how you can develop three (3) key attributes to successfully manage your work and personal life.
•  Offers tools for forming effecting teams and motivating people.

Lauren Smith: Why did you write it?

 Jane Treber Macken: I wanted to write a book that bridges the worlds of business and psychology. Through my learnings and experiences, I saw many ways that people can be more effective in their daily lives, and thus, much happier both at work and personally.  The idea came from several years supervising and managing for both a large and small organization, two masters’ thesis "Personal Mastery in Organizational Leadership" and "Your Company" and teaching "Managing Organizations" at the university.

 “The Art of Managing…How to Build a Better Workplace and Relationships” bridges the worlds of business and psychology. Managing the workplace is really about managing relationships because people are still the most important asset. The book provides insights on how to develop the three (3) key attributes that make leaders successful in managing the workplace and their personal lives – caring and compassion for others, serving others and the community, and working on Self (mind, body and spirit). 

Jane Treber Macken: The biggest mistake I see managers making is not being honest.  Managers may not walk the talk and not be authentic because they may not honor their true feelings/beliefs and do what they believe others want them to do. This builds resentments within and folks truly know when someone is not acting authentically.  Successful leaders demonstrate trust, integrity, and credibility, including leading by example, making people feel and believe that everybody is equally important and that everything they do is significant. Honesty builds relationships.
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Lauren Smith: Do you think virtual offices and remote workers bring a new set of
challenges for managers?

Jane Treber Macken: Managing is clearly defined by the needs of the organization (vision, mission, goals, strategies) whereas leadership style is defined by the needs of the follower. Whether the employee is working in the office or working at home, it is important to understand the employee and lead accordingly.

“The Art of Managing…How to Build a Better Workplace and Relationships”, Chapter 11, How to Motivate Others, discusses motivation as being one of the key skills that leaders managing organizations want to develop. The style of leadership depends on the readiness of the follower – professional and psychological maturity. Professional maturity is the ability or capacity of the employee (knowledge, training, experience).  Psychological maturity is the motivation or willingness to do (rewards, recognition, confidence, self esteem). The leader will use two-way communication (delegate, support) driven by the follower behavior or one-way communication (tell, direct, guide) driven by the leader. 

If the manager has a clear mission, vision, defined goals and objectives, and individual job expectations agreements, virtual offices and remote workers can be productive and satisfied. 

The only area that might suffer is bonding with other employees. It is important to bring the folks together frequently for team building so that they stay connected to the work group.

Lauren Smith: Are there any tips for managers who work with a remote staff?

Jane Treber Macken: Develop a clear mission, vision, goals and objectives. Ensure the personal vision of your employee aligns with the vision of your organization. More importantly, understand yourself, others, communicate effectively, and build relationships. Managing the workplace is really about managing relationships. Basically, people are still the most important asset.

Lauren Smith: What are your plans for the future? Do you have any other books planned?

Jane Treber Macken: I am currently gathering information for a second book that begins with the logo:  “The Art of Managing…”  I tape record and write thoughts and feedback on a daily basis. I have drafted a chapter on Diversity in the Workplace (by popular demand from folks who read the book and wanted more of what I touched on in the book). I expect this book to be ready within 1 ½ to 2 years.