33. Separate the managers from the leaders30

It is easy to get hung up by principles, but don't. Below are some basic tips for putting management principles into practice.

1. Be a coach as well as enforcer.
2. Master technical skills that are needed for your position, like using data effectively.
3. Don't involve too many people too soon.

Design a two-year strategy that answers questions like these:

• In which parts of the organisation should change begin?

• Which potential projects have the best chance of success?

• What financial and technical resources will be needed to sustain education, training, and other projects?

• Who will provide technical assistance to managers, supervisors, staff, and volunteers?

• Who will co-ordinate logistics?

• What systems must be developed to distribute resources, maintain publications and reports, and handle a hundred more details?

4. Identify resource people within the organisation early on.

Recruit technical advisors, like senior statisticians and training specialists, from the outside until the organisation has enough expertise.

5. Ask questions to better understand your workers: What do employees like/dislike about their jobs? Do they feel trusted/valued? The key is in getting honest answers.

6. Ensure that workers understand their roles and where they fit into the larger context; how their work is influenced by others who precede them and how it influences those who follow.