Lifetime Learning

You've probably heard it before but I'm going to repeat it again for you - you should never stop learning. This is especially true for a manager (ok - it's especially true for everyone).

Why is it important for a manager? First because you don't know it all (and you probably never will). Second because it will help you to improve your management skills which will make you a better manager for your staff and a better employee to your boss.

Does this mean you have to go back to school? Definitely NO!

There are many ways you can continue to learn and one of my favorites is to open my browser and do a search on a topic of interest. Once you cut through the chaff to find the wheat there is a lot there.

Among the web sites that I have found worthwhile and have bookmarked are these:

http://www.manager-tools.com By visiting this site once a week you will feel like you've enrolled in a manager education program at a top management school. The big difference is that the material here is free and the lectures are available as podcasts. They sponsor a web forum where you can discuss topics from the podcasts with the authors and others who register to participate (again it is all free).

http://www.marshallgoldsmithlibrary.com/ This is a site where Marshall Goldsmith is making available a wealth of information from his vast experience and the information is also free.

Between these you'll be able to schedule 1 hour a week in your calendar for management development and your staff and your boss will see a difference in you within a few weeks (possibly within a few days) and you will notice the change yourself as you become more effective in your job.

A note about podcasts - you do not need an iPod to listen to them. The files are mp3 format audio files which can be easily downloaded to your PC (or Mac) and then played on the built-in audio player that comes with your PC (or Mac).