CARE AND FEEDING OF MONKEYS Aditya Lathe
Nov 01, 2014
CARE AND FEEDING OF MONKEYS
Aditya Lathe
RULES FOR FEEDING MONKEYS
Rule 1: Monkeys should be fed or shot Rule 2: The monkey population should be kept
under control Rule 3: Monkeys should be fed by appointment
only Rule 4: Monkeys should be fed face to face or by
telephone, but never by mail Rule 5: Every monkey should have an assigned
feeding time
BACKGROUND
Article authored by William Oncken Jr. and Donald L Wass
Appeared in Nov-Dec 1974 issue of Harvard Business Review
Among HBRs two bestselling reprints ever Talks about principles of efficient time management
at the workplace
KNOW YOUR TIME
Boss-imposed time: Choose to neglect at your own risk
System-imposed time: Can be neglected, but there will be consequences
Self-imposed time: Your free time! However, Self-imposed time taken up by
peers/subordinates => “Peer / Subordinate-imposed time.”
Remaining free time => “Discretionary time.”
MANAGE YOUR TIME
DO NOT TAMPER WITH BOSS TIME OR SYSTEM TIME!!!
Self-imposed time can be managed effectively Strive to increase discretionary-time and reduce
peer/subordinate time
Where does the monkey fit in???
A peer/subordinate approaches you with a problem You know enough to get involved, but not enough to
resolve the problem on the spot. “Let me think about it and I’ll let you know”
Your peer’s/subordinate’s monkey jumps on your back. Congratulations! You have adopted a new pet!
ADOPTING A MONKEY
Screaming monkeys on your back require constant care and feeding.
Responsibility of feeding/care diverts attention from boss-time and system-time
Accumulating monkeys eats away self-imposed time Creates bottlenecks for other employees who await your decision/help
MONKEYS AS PETS
Transfer the initiative Identify the owner Help him feed his monkey
Fun Fact: Monkeys can sleep peacefully on their owner’s back
RESTORE THE MONKEY TO ITS RIGHTFUL OWNER
IF YOU DO DECIDE TO ADOPT A MONKEY……
RULE #1
Monkeys should be fed or shot.
Otherwise, they will starve to death and the manager will waste valuable time on post-mortems or attempted resurrections.
The monkey population should be kept under control
It should always be below the maximum number for which you have time to feed
RULE #2
Monkeys should be fed by appointment only
The manager should not have to be hunt down starving monkeys and feed them on a catch-as-catch can basis.
RULE #3
RULE #4
Monkeys should be fed face to face or by telephone, but never by mail.
Documentation may add to the feeding process, but it cannot take the place of feeding.
RULE #5
Every monkey should have an assigned feeding time
These may be revised at any time by mutual consent, but never allowed to become vague or indefinite. Otherwise, the monkey will either starve to death or wind up on your back.
If you liked the presentation, please read the Original Article.If you didn’t like the presentation, please read the Original Article. It’s much better!!