| I've written a couple of articles that in some way relate | | | | torches, let me explain. It's perfectly fine to take a day |
| to managing other people, and there are two reasons | | | | off if you actually are sick. What I'm referring to is |
| for this: | | | | "Sick" days off, where you might be taking it for |
| | | | another reason (don't even try to tell me you have |
| 1. Managing other people is seen as the next step in | | | | never taken one). While in itself this is unacceptable, |
| almost all career paths. | | | | when you begin to be responsible for others it |
| 2. Managing other people is one of the hardest skills to | | | | becomes even more so. You don't have the liberty of |
| master. | | | | not caring for a day, as people's jobs could depend on |
| In other words, you can never read enough about | | | | you. What if you're not there to answer a question and |
| effectively managing other people. It's in this line of | | | | work stops? What if you miss a deadline because of |
| thinking that I'm going to share with you one of the | | | | that? This domino effect only gets worse, and it is |
| most important pieces of advice I can give: Lead by | | | | something you need to think about before you call off. |
| example. | | | | - The "Bad mouthing" ends - This might be the single |
| Sounds simple enough, but you'd be surprised how | | | | most important point of the three. When you are in |
| often we do something that sends a bad message to | | | | charge, you need to keep morale as high as you can. |
| our team. Here are three ways that you can send a | | | | This means that "Bad mouthing" other co-workers or |
| good message to your team, and consequently make | | | | your project pretty much ends. Think of it this way: If |
| yourself a better team leader. | | | | your manager starts talking about how awful your |
| - First to arrive, Last to leave - In general, you should | | | | project is, what are you going to think? If they can't |
| be the first one to arrive out of your team to work | | | | handle it, how should you be able to? This also applies |
| and the last one to leave. This sets a great example | | | | to your co-workers, especially any on your team. You |
| for the rest of your team as to the level of your | | | | should never rag on them, so to speak. Your team will |
| commitment not only to your project but to them. It will | | | | take their cues from you, and you need to set a good |
| really help to set a good work pace, as they can see | | | | example. They most likely need to work with these |
| you working right when they get in up until they leave. | | | | people, and you want that to go smoothly without |
| Now, this does not always have to apply. For example, | | | | anybody having any preconceived notions. |
| if one of your team members needs to work | | | | Your team performing better can only help you out in |
| overnight on something, you don't have to stay with | | | | the long run. It's a boon not only to your current |
| them. However, when you can, you should try to | | | | project's success, but to the success of your career |
| follow this tip. | | | | as well. |
| - Don't take "Sick" time - Now before you light the | | | | |