In our last two newsletters, I have been focusing on the under-management epidemic. (Back issues are available at our Web site. Note the series will continue in July, with Part III.) Meanwhile, we've been putting the finishing touches on our latest workplace study, "The Under-Management Epidemic," and we released the Executive Summary Report on June 28.

KEY FINDINGS
#1. UNDER-MANAGEMENT IS A WORKPLACE DISEASE OF EPIDEMIC PROPORTIONS.
#2. THE IMPACT OF UNDER-MANAGEMENT IS HARMFUL AND COSTLY.
#3. THERE ARE FOUR LEADING CAUSES OF INDIVIDUAL INFECTION.
#4. ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS SUPPORT THE SPREAD OF THE DISEASE.
#5. THE ONLY KNOWN CURE IS A RIGOROUS FITNESS PROGRAM OF MANAGEMENT EXERCISE.

UNDER-MANAGEMENT DEFINED
Under-Management is "a condition in which a leader fails to provide regularly and consistently a direct report with the five management basics." Those basics include (1) clear statements of performance requirements and standard operating procedures, (2) measurable goals, clear parameters and concrete deadlines for work assignments, (3) accurate monitoring of performance, (4) feedback and guidance, and (5) fair distribution of rewards and detriments.

EXCERPTS FROM THE STUDY
(a) "...90% of managers DO NOT provide every direct report with all five management basics at least once a week; 75% of managers DO NOT provide the basics at least once a month; 35% of managers DO NOT provide the basics even once a year..."
(b) "...under-management is the overwhelming common denominator in most cases of sub-optimal workplace performance of all types and at all levels..."
(c) "...leading causes of individual infection are (1) lack of time and/or resources, (2) false 'Nice Guy' syndrome, (3) lack of management skill, and (4) fear..."
(d) "...the incredible shifts in the workplace over the last ten years contribute to the spread of the disease..."
(e) "...the highly-engaged management style, techniques, skills, best practices, and habits, what we call H.O.T. (hands-on and transactional) Management, is the only known medicine..."

THE RESEARCH
"The Under-Management Epidemic," is based on research conducted over an eighteen month period (from December 2002 through June 2004), including Bruce Tulgan's direct evaluations of more than 500 managers selected from participants in intensive two-day management workshops, as well as the ongoing surveys and interviews conducted by RainmakerThinking, Inc.® since 1993.