Managing staff: which box will you put them in?

Regular readers of this blog will know that I tend to think in shapes or metaphors. But this blog is different. I've got my serious face on, because this one's about getting the best out of your team. When I manage staff, it's not about pyramids, cars or stations. It’s all about the matrix, and in particular the Skill Will Matrix, which I've found useful for many years. I've always been suspicious of anyone who says they can characterise their management style in just a sentence or two. That's a horrible interview question, by the way, for that reason. Surely it depends on the person you’re managing? What should you do to get the best out of them? Following the matrix, there are two key factors to consider: Skills – this is about abilities, much of which can be learned or improved through training and experience, as well as of course learning from colleagues. Do they have the technical skills needed to work effectively for your organisation? Will – this isn't particularly about the number of hours they work, although nipping off for a four hour lunch break might indicate a lack of it. No, it’s more to do with keenness, interest, or a readiness to learn. Is there a spark of excitement about the work they're doing? If you work for a charity, do they have a passion for the cause they're representing? Can we all agree th