Such working managers are very common in small companies, where it is not uncommon even for top management to help in order to get the work done. It may be packing and shipping merchandise, or an urgent need to write or produce something, or answering phone calls when there are just too many of them.
These working managers are also present in the majority of larger companies. Very often this is because top managers think it would not be cost-effective to employ someone in a management only role. They think the number of people to be supervised would not justify that. In other companies, there is a shared belief that no one is so special as to be manager only and everyone should tackle the ordinary workload. This is according to an article on the business2community.com website.
Downsides of worker-manager roles
When managers are also doing the job of graphic designers, sales reps or developers, this may cause tension. On the one hand, you want to hold them responsible for delivering – which they do by leading their team, though this makes them less effective in their basic job. On the other hand, they still have to do this basic job.
Their focus is split: Very often, they have no room to focus on developing their team: they only press it for maximal output so that they, in the role of manager, can deliver.
Lack of support: Subordinates who are overseen by working managers then feel neglected. There is a lack of support and the managers take no interest in them because they are always too busy doing their share of the ordinary work.
Unwilling to make changes: These managers tend to be less open to new ideas. As they are engrossed in their own work, they constantly reiterate that everything is working well the way it is at the moment.
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