MBWA (from In Search of Excellence)

I've been thinking...There is a lot of upside to all the 24/7 communications devices (e.g. Blackberry, iPhone, etc.), like increased accessibility and productivity. But sometimes I think: At what cost? We've become addicted...so dependent on this form and type of communication.

Last week I was having coffee with the CEO of a major orthopedic and neurological clinic. I asked him how he spends his day, now that the clinical operations and headcount have grown so large ($35 million plus) over the past ten years. He said he does a lot of wandering around, talking to people, talking to staff and providers. How refreshing!!! What a novel idea!!!

Remember Tom Peters' groundbreaking book In Search of Excellence? Peters talks a lot about M.B.W.A. -- Management By Wandering Around. No, I am not talking about the Michael Scott (aka Steve Carell) type of wandering in the hilarious sitcom, The Office, but rather genuine Q&A wandering.

Mid and senior managers, try it out. Get off your "device", get up from your desk, and circulate. Ask people: How's it going? What are you working on? What are the objectives for that project? What do you need more of? Less of? How can I help?

If you take this step, with sincerity and authenticity, and do it regularly, I think you'll be very pleasantly surprised at the upside in productivity, morale, and feeling of camaraderie you add to the organization.