Be a Proud Manager

Be a Proud Manager!!!

By Bachchu Kailash Kaini*

I became a Manager almost 23 years ago due to my interest, education and luck. I was simply looking for a job after my graduation in management and so applied for many vacancies. Fortunately, I got a job in the health sector, then I became a Manager.

By now, I am not only a Manager, I am a 'Proud Manager'. What makes me a Proud Manager? I am simply sharing my experiences on how I became a Proud Manager.

The literal dictionary meaning of proudness is ‘feeling pleasurable satisfaction over an act, possession, quality, or relationship by which one measures one's stature or self-worth’. I never check a dictionary or consult a book on how to become a Proud Manager, even though I am almost addicted to reading books and consulting a dictionary almost every day.

What did I do to become a Proud Manager? In a short answer, I did whatever I was supposed to do in assigned roles and responsibilities. For example, when I was a manager in a hospital, I was dutiful, punctual, hardworking, proactive, creative, thoughtful, and so forth.

Let me tell you about my route to proudness as I feel, experience and see it.

Dream, dream for a big thing: I am ambitious and always sketch a big picture in my mind. It’s free to dream, but it’s difficult to be pragmatic. I understand what my strengths and weaknesses are, what I can achieve and what I cannot. I never put a ‘full stop’ after the achievement of my dream. One achievement always gives me more confidence, courage and credibility to dream of another thing – a bigger thing. It’s not guaranteed that all dreams are achieved, but I am not discouraged. I learn lessons from my failures and I am committed not to repeat the same mistakes. I am satisfied of what I have achieved and learnt. Satisfaction makes me proud and helps me to become a Proud Manager.

Use knowledge, skills and common sense: Management courses and theories give you enough foundation to become a manager. To be a proud manager, it’s not only management books, but also common sense. I understand if I fail to act upon any urgent situations, I am a failure. In my previous managerial roles, I had to deal with many situations where I barely had any chance to think about any management theories. Therefore, I use common sense, knowledge and skills to be a Proud Manager. A manager is tested many times and a Proud Manager passes all those tests in hard times. That’s how I feel I am a Proud Manager. 

Invest today and result tomorrow: There is a statement in Bhagwat Geeta, "Karmanyevadhikaraste mafaleshu kadachan"( i.e. People should continue to do their duties without thinking about the fruits of it). I think about my goals and ways to achieve desired outcomes at the beginning. Management teaches me to set my goals, objectives and desired outcomes in a structured or organised way. Moreover, I am honest, dedicated and diligent enough to achieve those targets. I may set an excellent goal, but if I am not honest and dedicated to achieve it, there is no point to even to think about it. My investment today is my dedication and hard work in order to achieve my goals, and I believe my pay cheque will arrive tomorrow to pay off my hard work. I also receive recognition for the hard work and dedication I put into the profession. Recognition and respect always help me to make me a Proud Manager.

Do whatever you like to do and develop expertise: Like other technical specialities (eg. medicine, engineering or technology), management itself is a specialty. There are many sub-specialties in management. Management is the only specialty which is required for all organisations of all sizes. Everyone is a manager of his or her own life. For example, we plan our future, we organise our life, we direct our family and we control our budgets. Being a Proud Manager is not only about being a Manager of our life, it’s also being a Manager specialised in your field of interest. We need to develop our expertise in one particular field that fascinates us. I do what I enjoy. If I do what I enjoy, then I focus on my job and I easily become a successful Manager. If I am successful, I feel proud. Furthermore, when I am an expert in the field of my interest, I feel proud.

Be optimistic: One of my strengths is optimism. Even if negative things happen, I think it happens for a good reason. I believe in myself. Believing in me is seeing myself from my own perspective and thinking positive for the future. Like other managers, I have also gone through rough and smooth rides, ups and downs. It’s a part of professional and managerial life. If I am positive, I do not over think the nightmares and waste my time for the dark memories. Rather I will move on from the present to the future with a positive attitude and improved strengths. It pays. If something pays off, I feel proud and ultimately I am a Proud Manager.

Do my colleagues or friends feel the same about me? I am not too bothered about it, if I am doing whatever I am supposed to do. My principle is, if I am fine then others will also see me to be fine.

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*According to Mr Kaini, he felt proud in realistic and visible terms when he became the Head of Administration Department in a public hospital in Nepal, published two books in hospital and health care management, got senior management roles in the NHS Hospitals in the UK and developed his expertise in the field of hospital management, just few to mention. Therefore, he feels he is a Proud Manager. He can be contacted via email on bkkaini@gmail.com.