Manager Schmanager

Looking back at my Introduction, I’m now even more resolute to write something far squarer, and long-winded. Tetragonal?! Here I go.

Every summer and winter my friends and I plan a major retreat. Although, some of these plans never realize, we’ve been able to power through some major ones. For instance early this year we went to Pennsylvania to ski for 3 days, however there was no snow. We played volleyball outside and shot desert eagles at a range instead. In any case, it took many man hours, a load of determination and bargaining to arrange for 10 people to spend time together. Such factors as living space, activities, waking time, relationship status, car spec's, but most importantly food played a vital role in the grounding stages of that excursion. I have to admit that the managing person outdid himself because the trip was nearly flawless, even considering that a skating rink turned out to be a roller disco. Well, and the no snow part.

This time around we've been planning (and I'm using that term most generously) a trip to Vermont for 4 days for New Year's. Although the preparations began early in August, the planning have stalled...also early in August. This is due to the fact that people are terrified to commit, are unsure of their current financial situation or are unable to plan for the long term. Being spontaneous is great, but it doesn't work when you're renting a house for a major holiday in a major holiday destination, major:-). Rent in advance! Given that I've been co-planning this trip, I must say that it has been quite dreadful. I've done a great deal of research and preliminary plans but all of my negotiations, emails and phone conversations have been ignored or shrugged off as being "too ahead of time". Nevertheless, everyone still wants to go, they just don't want to commit in case someone bails out and the initial plan falls apart. I've been thinking that the best way to manage this situation would be to redistribute the planning responsibilities among all the members. In theory this should make them feel empowered, and when their own planning is at stake they would surely think twice before bailing out on the trip. Luckily, I've made arrangements for a backup getaway in case this managing style, or the one you will propose falls short of resolving this issue.

Introduction

My name is Ivan. I was born in Lvov, Ukraine, a city name that is derived from the word 'lion'. 8 years ago my family won a Green Card and shortly thereafter we emigrated to America. Currently I'm a Junior majoring in Finance & Investments, and balancing my life between work, school and things unrelated to the latter two. Although I've worked and earned money before I came to America, I held my first part time job at 11, working as a bag boy in a local Key Food store. My manager didn't speak English, and neither did I. Understanding was uncommon, an aspect that contributed to my on-the-job frustration, and which I've never encountered afterwards. Ever since I've held numerous jobs, from working as a tuxedo salesman, a waiter and a cold caller, to interning at Goldman Sachs and Lehman Brothers. Every one of these working experiences came with a manager of one sort or another. Although I couldn't possibly remember the specific characteristics of each one of these, I can certainly differentiate between a manager I regarded as an overseer and one whom I called 'my boss'. At any rate, I'm looking forward to learn how a good manager is ought to be!